Parenting is difficult enough even with the couple is living together under one roof. It becomes more challenging when the couple is separated or divorced, but they need to maintain some form of communication for the sake of the children.
Co-parenting is never easy but it is possible to establish a harmonious relationship with the other parent. Most parents are able to come up with a compromise for the sake of the children. Staying civil with the other parent is possible when some basic rules or commandments are followed.
Never talk about the other parent in a bad way as this will only affect the child, according to She Knows. Seattle-based psychologist Dr. Melanie English said there may be no love lost between the two parents but the children will surely want to love each parent in their own way.
It is also wise to never allow the children to get caught in the middle of the conflict between parents. This could be very toxic for any child and could result in emotional and psychological stress and problems later on.
It is normal for one parent to get curious about the new life and love of the other. However, it is not a license to make the child a spy who would eavesdrop on the other parent now and then. A divorced couple has to learn to set up boundaries to avoid conflicting situations that would unwittingly involve the children, Huffington Post noted.
Co-parenting with an unfriendly ex can be emotionally draining even after the divorce papers have been signed. Both parents need to have the right communication strategies to be able to co-parent peacefully without literally killing each other with words and sometimes with physical actions, as per Dr. Margaret Rutherford. Both parents need to be emotionally mature and sincere if they want to get along well after the separation.
