The Keys to Co-Parenting Success after a Michigan Divorce

It is often said that kids don’t come with an instruction manual.  As a parent, you simply do your best to learn from mistakes and raise your children to be responsible, capable, caring, and understanding individuals.  By the same token, there’s no definitive guide to co-parenting following your Michigan divorce.

While the courts offer orders for custody and child support, as well as guidelines for successfully navigating co-parenting time, it’s really up to you and your ex-spouse to figure out how to parent your children when you’re apart, just as you did when you were together.  How can you do this when you still harbor negative feelings toward your ex?  Here are a few strategies to successfully co-parent following divorce.

Keep Calm and Carry On

You may recognize this slogan from history, as it is motivational poster used in Britain at the outset of WWII, which was rediscovered and made popular in the 21st century.  History aside, it’s a fairly good rule of thumb when it comes to co-parenting, especially if you don’t want to risk putting your kids in the middle of miscommunication issues between you and your ex-spouse.

Whether your divorce was amicable or contentious, it can be understandably difficult to communicate with your ex following divorce, even if you both have the best interests of your children at heart.  Once your lives are separated, it’s normal for you and your ex-spouse to start making decisions on your own, even when you should be communicating and co-parenting.

For small issues, this usually won’t pose a problem, but for major concerns like schooling decisions, medical situations, vacation time, and so on, should consult with the other parent, just as you would like to be consulted.  It’s important to communicate so you can create a united front.  Otherwise, children could end up confused and frustrated by changing rules from one household to the other.

Try Not to Act on Emotion

It’s easy to let old hurts invade your efforts to co-parent, but if you let your emotions get the best of you, it could damage communications and inhibit your ability to do what’s best for your kids.  The place to start is by finding common ground, and likely you can both agree that you have your kids’ best interests at heart, even if you don’t necessarily get along with each other.

Just keep reminding yourself that the happiness and well-being of your children is more important than any lingering feelings of sadness, anger, or resentment you may have for your ex-spouse.  Providing a stable and supportive living situation for your kids should always be your top priority.

Never Involve Children

This is a biggie.  Your children have already had their lives turned upside down by divorce and separating households.  You don’t need to make it any harder by involving them in adult situations or decisions that aren’t their business or responsibility.  Do all you can to create stability so that your children can regain some semblance of safety, security, and normalcy.

If you’re struggling with significant co-parenting issues that you feel may have legal consequences, contact the experienced attorneys at The Gucciardo Law Firm today at 248-723-5190 or online to schedule a free consultation and learn about your options.