You might worry about the effect breaking apart your family will have on your child. However, take reassurance in the fact that millions of other children are in a similar position. It is not so much your relationship’s legal status that matters, but how you are as parents.
How can you share parenting well?
Successfully raising a child after divorce depends on good communication between you and the other parent. It can be hard when your divorce is still fresh. Here are some ways that you can make co-parenting a success:
- Put your child first: When both parents take a child-centric view, things become easier. It can be challenging to differentiate your personal wishes from what is right for your child. Spending time with both parents is usually in the child’s best interest.
- Talk to each other: If you have problems talking to your spouse on the phone, consider messaging or email. Avoid using your child as a go-between.
- Avoid playing games: Some parents “forget” to tell the other things to make them look bad in front of their child. However, it is your child that will suffer most.
- Try to be flexible: When you make a parenting plan, you should try to stick to it as much as possible. However, there will be times when one of you cannot comply. Rather than making a big scene, see how you can adapt to accommodate. You may need them to return the favor another time.
- Watch your words: Standing outside the school gates discussing your ex-spouse’s awfulness could hurt your child if it gets back to them. Choose when and where you let off steam wisely.
Divorce can be a challenge for all involved. Reaching a settlement that both sides are happy with frees you to concentrate on raising your child rather than resenting your ex.