Co-Parenting Peacefully: Is It Possible?

Parents who do not get along or trust each other can face incredible obstacles when it comes to co-parenting. Often, parents struggle to get past bitterness, distrust, or anger they feel toward each other and shift from being romantic partners to being parenting partners.

However, by focusing on a few goals, it can be easier to overcome this challenge.

Think About Your Child’s Experience

Many children have difficulty adjusting to splitting time with their parents. They can feel scared and angry, and some children feel as though the divorce is their fault.

Consider this when you are gearing up for a fight with your ex or complaining about his or her fitness as a parent. Perhaps more than ever, your children need the support and love of their parents – both parents. Looking at it from their perspective can make it easier to set aside negative feelings and focus on providing a loving environment.

Manage Your Expectations

Peaceful parenting doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Be patient with yourselves and manage your expectations.

Instead of expecting everything to run smoothly right away, remember that co-parenting is a big adjustment. It can take time to figure things out, and people make mistakes during this time. Rather than assuming everything will be amicable and perfect, be flexible and anticipate some growing pains.

Find an Effective Form of Communication

Co-parenting requires communication. And the better parents are at communicating with each other, the easier it can be to work together and resolve conflict.

Not all forms of communication work for everyone, so it is vital to find what works best for your situation.

If you are not good at projecting or interpreting tone in emails or texts, discuss important matters in person or on the phone. If you struggle with trust or if you don’t remember exchanges the same way as each other, putting it all in writing can be wise.

Whatever you decide, finding a way to communicate consistently and respectfully can go a long way in preventing arguments.

Co-parenting peacefully can be an extraordinary challenge, particularly when parents dislike or distrust each other. However, focusing on these goals can allow you to address the situation from a more cooperative and productive position. 

If you need help establishing or enforcing a co-parenting plan, our Colorado family law attorneys are here to help.

Call Law Office of Alexandra White, PC at (303) 647-4245 to schedule a free consultation.