Good Divorce Week – #ABetterWay

As part of Resolution’s Good Divorce Week 2021, we are sharing daily top tips on how you can have a ‘Good Divorce’:

Co-parenting 

During a divorce, a relationship between parents often becomes strained. Remaining amicable can become complicated and affect co-parenting. Working together to create a positive, loving environment is essential for raising children in a separated home.

Successful co-parenting can be achieved in many ways, with different advice and resources available to help. Some tips for successfully co-parenting are:

1. Attend a parenting course.

There are a wide variety of courses available for co-parents. Attendance to any number of these can improve the atmosphere between co-parents and their children.

2. Take part in the Separated Parents Information Programme (SPIP). 

This 4-hour course places emphasis on prioritising your children during a hostile separation. It provides time to reflect with other co-parents on reducing conflict and communicating effectively for the children’s benefit.

3. Create parenting agreements. 

Having a written plan will help co-parents understand their arrangements clearly and reach compromises. When matters are in dispute, they can refer to it, leading to a calm resolution.

4. Remain flexible.                                                                                                                                                               

Unexpected events can occur in life which you cannot plan for. It may mean an overnight stay or a location to meet with a co-parent needs to be changed at short notice. Remaining flexible will prevent the children from feeling like they are in the middle of a problem and make the situation simpler if a favour needs to be reciprocated.

5. Make decisions together                                                                                                                                          

If both co-parents have an input in decisions relating to the children, it will ensure one party does not feel alienated and resentful towards the other. Parents, of course, must make significant decisions together, i.e. schooling, medical decisions and leaving the jurisdiction, due to joint parental responsibility.                                      

Everyone has different beliefs and approaches, both personally and as a parent. Compromising and understanding that a co-parent may not treat situations the same way, but that it is okay, it will prevent conflict. The child’s best interests should be the factor that matters.

Child Arrangement Solicitors

It is not always easy to build a good co-parenting relationship. If you are struggling with co-parenting and need further advice on improving your situation, please contact 01483 451900 and ask to speak to a member of our family team. Alternatively, you can make an online enquiry and we will call you back.