Divorce affects children, especially if parents cannot find a middle ground. Excessive fighting and tension make their way to the children before, during and after divorce.
Regardless of how a marriage ended, parents should do what they can to develop a congenial co-parenting relationship. Doing so allows the children to feel more love and less stress from their parental relationships. Utilize these suggestions when co-parenting to make the process smoother all around.
Communicate in writing
If a divorce was particularly stressful and contentious, bad feelings may linger. It becomes easy to lash out on the phone or when talking in person. To keep this at bay, parents should communicate in writing. This allows them to consider what they are saying and do so without bickering. It also gives them an accurate record of agreements.
Share a calendar
A schedule is the centerpiece of any co-parenting relationship. The parenting plan sets a basic framework for the time spent with each parent. Set up an online calendar that the parents share. Seeing the schedule and comparing it to whatever is going on at work and school can keep everyone on the right track, and thus, negative feelings at a minimum.
Seek counseling for difficult feelings
Difficult feelings are bound to come up after a divorce. However, parents should not share these with the children. Doing so may land a family back in front of a judge for inflicting emotional hardship or engaging in parental alienation tactics. Getting professional help for working through lingering negative feelings is crucial to maintaining a neutral playing field.
The court places its emphasis on the best interests of the children. This typically includes a relationship with both parents. Co-parenting may take time, but the long-term effect may have the most positive impact on children.