Navigating Parenting Together
Welcome to our weekly newsletter, this week we’re going to talk about parenting when parents are separated, and a child gets "two homes". Interested in reading more? Click on the provided link to read the complete blog!
What Should I Consider When Divorcing With Young Kids?
Your relationship might be in a place where it's no longer healthy, due to conflicts and disagreements, resulting in you and your partner filing for divorce. When you also have children, the divorce might also be hard on them. Try to reduce the conflicts when they're around and try to manage legal or financial issues in private. Another important thing you must think about is a fitting parenting style, whether that's parallel parenting or co-parenting.
Effective Parallel Parenting
Parallel parenting allows each parent to have their own rules and routines with their children. This means parents don't really communicate with each other, but also don't criticize one another in front of their children. To make parallel parenting work, parents should establish strong boundaries and do the necessary planning. With this parenting style, it's important to develop your own household rules and routines that work for you. Most importantly, focus on quality parent-child time, rather than competing with your ex-spouse, and prevent conflicts in front of your children.
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Creating Effective Co-parenting Guidelines
If you decide on co-parenting instead of parallel parenting, creating communication guidelines might be helpful in this process. Co-parenting is when two parents share the responsibility for their child. Co-parenting can come in several forms, parents who come together for their children's activities or parents who switch up. By establishing a consistent routine, communicating, respecting one another, and putting your children first, you can overcome the difficulties of co-parenting.
Creating a Co-parenting Schedule
To decrease the pressure and stress of co-parenting, you can make a schedule together. Using a schedule can provide structure and ensure that both parents are properly involved. With a schedule, parents can determine their contact times and focus on their parent-child bond. While making a co-parenting schedule, it can be helpful to incorporate your child's opinions to make sure they are happy with it as well. You can click on the link below to download 3 different templates for a co-parenting schedule.
How to Help Your Child Accept a New Relationship
After divorce, you might start thinking about a new relationship. You might be co-parenting or parallel parenting and having someone new in your life might be a challenge for your child. The first conversation on the introduction of your new partner might be the hardest. Try to ease into it and keep it simple and honest. Allow them to talk about how they feel and allow them to get to know your partner. In case your child is struggling to accept your new partner, you can think about doing things your child loves as a new family. Children might feel jealous of your partner, which is why it's crucial for you to maintain your parent-child relationship and spend some one-on-one time together.