Co-parenting can be difficult for the entire family. Hale Strategies is here to help you gain conflict management skills. These conflict management skills can improve your communication and lessen the conflict coparenting can bring. There may be situations that require mediation, and Hale Strategies is ready to use mediation strategies in conflict resolution.
Children have a tough time understanding divorce. Helping your child/children cope well with the traumatic life change of divorce is critical for their well-being.
Here are a few helpful co-parenting hints & tips:
- Be honest and sensitive with your children when you tell them about separation or divorce. Unpleasant circumstances need explanations that are brief and honest. Be direct when talking with your children. Present information so the children can understand it. This will vary with the circumstances and each child’s age and comprehension. The worst course is hushing things up and making the children feel they must not talk or think about what is happening.
- Assure your children they are not to blame for the separation or divorce. Children, especially young ones, often feel they have done something wrong to cause problems in the family and between their parents. Let them know that this is not the case.
- Ensure your children know they will be loved, cared for, and supported by both parents. Explain that your relationship as a couple is separate from your relationship as parents. Tell your children your relationship as their parents can never be taken away.
- Allow time for you and your children to adjust to family changes. Separation and divorce significantly affect relationships between parents and children. This can be very stressful for everyone. Each family member will cope with the changes differently, so give each person time to process and understand the situation.
- Support your children’s relationship with the other parent regardless of your personal feelings; this is difficult but necessary for your children’s healthy development. Your children need to respect and have ongoing contact with both of you. Do not force or encourage children to take sides, carry messages, or report on the other parent’s personal life. Doing so encourages frustration, guilt, and resentment. Your children need to feel comfortable loving both parents.
- Cooperate and communicate with your former partner about the children. Cooperative parenting reduces stress for everyone. Your children will be confident in their relationship with each of you if they see peaceful communication.
Excerpt from AFCC parent resource.
For more information, call Hale Strategies, LLC at 325-999-3445 or complete the form on the contact page & we’ll try to get back to you within 48 hours.
