How to Improve Co-Parenting After a Florida Divorce
Learning how to co-parent with your ex-spouse can be one of the more challenging aspects of moving on after a Florida divorce. If one spouse is dealing with depression or struggling to move on, those feelings can manifest into bitterness and anger that make co-parenting even more challenging. The whole process of co-parenting is influenced by how each parent acts towards the other.
If you are behaving in a healthy manner, but your ex-spouse is not, your children are still going to be negatively affected. Going in another direction where you are suddenly too liberal, and your ex is now overly strict can also present problems. Both parties need to work together, which can be an obvious challenge given the relationship didn’t work out.
Here are several ways you and your ex can improve your co-parenting skills going forward.
Work on Open Communication
One of the most important aspects of any type of relationship is open communication. Trying to lock your spouse out of your child’s life is not going to help anyone. The better you and your ex can communicate, the easier the transition will be on your children. Learn how to listen to each other, and maybe consider setting some ground rules on communication if you are still struggling. Approach communication like the situation is a business relationship. Speak cordially and keep a neutral tone.
Keep Household Rules and Disciplinary Actions the Same
One of the best ways to help your children through the transition is to keep the rules the same in each household. If your children were required to go to bed by 8 PM when you were married, keep that consistency in both homes. If one parent decides to let the child go to bed whenever they want now that they are living apart, it can create tension. The child may start acting out and begin favoring the more lenient parent over the other.
You should also be aligned in your methods of discipline. This includes actions that did not occur under your own home. If you kids misbehaved and lost television privileges in your ex’s home for a certain amount of time, follow through with the punishment when your child is back in your home.
Establish Routines and Schedules
Keeping regular routines and schedules can help your children be more comfortable with change. Help them anticipate the upcoming transitions by reminding them they will be visiting their father/mother in a couple days. When your child returns home, try to keep things calm and low key. Having some downtime can help them adjust to the potential anxiety of moving back and forth. Establish a special routine when they come back, so it gives them something to look forward to and provides some stability on what to expect when they come home.
Retaining a Florida Divorce Attorney
If you are going through a divorce and need assistance with child custody and/or parenting plan agreement, speaking with an experienced Boca Raton family law attorney is beneficial. Contact the Law Offices of Schwartz | White at 561-391-9943 to schedule a consultation.
