Helpful Guidelines: Co-Parenting Tips

Divorce is a part of life for many parents. As with many aspects of parenting, there are ways to co-parent well and things to avoid. Successful co-parenting requires a commitment to synergy—to working with your child’s other parent rather than against them. The divorce lawyers of Miller Law Group, P.C. have seen a variety of co-parenting techniques.

Here are some tips we believe you’ll find valuable.

Holidays

Co-parenting during holidays can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. One way to maintain stability during shared holidays is by keeping traditions. For example, if you always decorated gingerbread houses together, continue to do that after divorce or separation.

It’s important to plan. Ask yourself questions, such as:

• Where will the children spend each of the holidays throughout the year?
• How much time will they spend with parents on holidays and holiday weekends?

Whatever you and your co-parent decide, it's important to keep the children’s best interests in mind and commit to patience.

School & Extracurricular Activities

If you share custody or parenting time, commit to a homework schedule. For example, keep homework time consistent by requiring it after dinner, no matter which house they’re at. It is also important if possible for both parents to be involved in their children’s school activities and other events such as sporting events, performances and parent-teacher nights. When both parents attend these events, the child gets to connect with both mom and dad during memory-making moments.

Summer Vacation

Being separated or divorced doesn’t mean you can’t have fun during summer. As with any approach to co-parenting, it is best to start with a plan. Talk with your former spouse about vacations and other summer plans, and try to remain flexible with parenting time.

Family Rules

Having two homes does not have to mean having two completely different sets of rules, standards, and values for the children—and it shouldn’t. Constantly switching back and forth between different sets of rules can be confusing and unfair for children. Do your best to present a united front with your co-parent, even when the two of you disagree.

Miller Law Group offers a variety of co-parenting resources. Contact us at (888) 874-2142 to learn more!