When parents in California decide to divorce, they may face challenges transitioning to a co-parenting relationship. Many people want to avoid hurting their children and fear they may do so by separating while other people have a highly strained relationship. Whether the separation is proceeding amicably or less so, the spouses involved still need to find a way to navigate parenting together. There are several steps that people can take to help lead the way to a positive co-parenting framework that can help parents raise their children after a divorce.
While setting a child custody schedule can be an important part of divorce negotiations, it is also important to be flexible with the agreement in practice. It is important for kids to feel like they can be close with both of their parents and that their needs come first. This does not mean that parents should constantly change the schedule; for younger kids in particular, routine can be important. Mutual flexibility, however, can help kids feel more confident navigating family relationships after a parental divorce.
Of course, the end of a marriage is often accompanied by a breakdown in communication. When it comes to the kids, however, co-parents still need to communicate. It is best for divorced parents to communicate directly with one another rather than using their children as go-betweens. Co-parenting is still a joint process, after all. When there are serious conflicts, parents can make use of apps designed for co-parenting to keep up their communication. Using a written form of communication can also ensure that a record is kept in case documentation is necessary in the future.
Parents going through a divorce may find it difficult at first to adjust to co-parenting. A family law attorney may help a parent to navigate the process and negotiate a fair agreement on parenting schedules.
