When we flip the calendar to a new year, we’re presented with another opportunity to improve ourselves, our circumstances, and the world around us. A lot of people take a look inside themselves, hopping on “New Year, New Me” trends for self-improvement. This can be a fantastic approach and we wish you the best of luck if you’re spending the new year looking for ways to be a better you! Of course, if you have children there are some other priorities in your life to keep in mind – especially if you’re divorced or split from your ex.
Co-parenting is a constant journey while your children learn and grow. The new year presents an opportunity to evaluate whether or not your co-parenting plan works in its current iteration. Are you getting enough quality time with your children? Do your children benefit from the current plan? Is the relationship between you and your ex getting in the way of a successful plan?
These are just some of the many questions you should ask yourself to start the year. We want to help you come up with a solid co-parenting plan that not only allows you and your co-parent to thrive but also allows your children to get the best out of these circumstances.
Improve Communication
As you may know, poor communication ends relationships and marriages. It also makes co-parenting far more challenging. You and your ex don’t need to fight with each other anymore because, frankly, there’s nothing left on the other side of this fight. Your relationship is over and now the only aspect of your lives you need to share with each other is the growth of your children.
Communication is a two-way street, but you should try to be more understanding and flexible on your end when possible. Instead of fighting or trying to put the other person down, focus on what you can bring to the table as a parent and a friend to your children.
Leave Your Children Out of the Fight
Even the best communicators will still have a battle now and then with their ex. These are difficult circumstances, and we understand that. What’s imperative for co-parents is to leave the children out of the ugly parts of your failed relationship.
You don’t need to use your child to leverage more information or favor. The issues are between you and your ex and should remain there. Children aren’t collateral in your never-ending fight for leverage.
Be More Inclusive With the Other Parent
If you and your ex can’t stand to be in the same room with each other and avoid all communication, you can skip this section. However, if you and your ex are willing to work together to give your children the best upbringing possible then consider working together. We don’t just mean co-parenting from afar, but instead including each other both at events and on important information.
Your child can benefit from having both parents attend school meetings and extracurricular events together. More importantly, your child will get the best care possible if the primary caregiver openly shares key information like medical and educational information. The more information each parent has the more prepared they can be to support their children.
Download Co-Parenting Apps or Use Shared Calendars
This resolution applies to co-parents who communicate well and those who don’t communicate at all. Co-parenting apps or shared calendars allow you to communicate through an app without having to contact each other directly.
Shared calendars allow you to communicate who has what responsibilities on what date and time. This can help avoid direct communication, keeping your child safe and cared for without the fighting. It also allows you to communicate about planned vacations or work events that prevent you from being available for your children.
Work with a Family Law Attorney
If your co-parenting plan isn’t working and you don’t see a way that these resolutions will help, a family law attorney can help you sort through your issues. Attorney Megan Erinakes can serve as a mediator between you and your ex to come up with a co-parenting plan that works for everyone involved. If you need a Texas family law attorney with compassion, integrity, and reliability, contact Erinakes Law today.
Erinakes Law, PLLC
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