Co-parenting successfully after a divorce

When people in Ohio decide to divorce, they may be more than ready to leave their unhappy marriage behind. At the same time, they may be concerned about the divorce’s effect on the parent-child relationship. Co-parenting can be a challenge, even for couples who were able to reach an amicable split. There can be a number of problems that arise, from discomfort at one parent’s new relationships to dealing with clashes over parenting decisions as the child grows.

While co-parenting will almost always have its difficulties, it does not need to be a severe emotional strain on divorced parents. The child custody process can be eased when the two parents, while no longer spouses, maintain a commitment to a cooperative co-parenting relationship and a focus on the well-being and emotional needs of the children. This can mean showing each other flexibility in order to benefit the child’s needs and wants. In addition, it is important for both parents to care for their children by refusing to disparage each other and working to foster the children’s close relationship with both parents.

As long as abusive circumstances are not present, children can benefit greatly from their relationships with both of their parents. Divorce may be important for the well-being of both parents and can help the children avoid seeing unhealthy relationship dynamics modeled. Throughout that process, it is important that the children themselves see the positives in their parents even when it is difficult due to the circumstances surrounding the divorce.

There are a number of factors that can be considered when working out a parenting plan to best support the children after divorce. A family law attorney may work with a divorcing spouse to reach an agreement and develop a child custody or visitation schedule that maintains the parent-child relationship.