Top 6 Ways to Prevent Conflict While Co-parenting

Following a divorce, there are so many dynamic factors occurring in the co-parenting relationship between you and your ex spouse.

The marital relationship is over and the co-parenting relationship is emerging, often bringing the hurt and grievances from the marriage. This can be a difficult time for some and while every relationship may present their own unique challenges, here is a template for rules to remember to help keep things positive.

1. Ask questions about their point of view.  If you are planning for the children it shows respect for their role as a parent if you ask them their opinion.  Ask the question before you state what your opinion is. as it shows genuine interest in what they have to say.  Including the other parent in decision making is important in establishing what your coParenting relationship will look like.
2. Allow the other person to speak before you speak during an argument.  Conflict can be escalated when people feel they are being disrespected, dismissed, or ignored.  These feelings may already exist following a divorce and may be heightened if people interrupt one another.  It conveys respect and interest in their views when you listen to everything they have to say.
3. Acknowledge what the other person is saying. This is an instant validation of their opinions and contribution to the conversation and planning for your children. When people feel validated and respected, emotions can remain calm and there will be far more productive conversations as emotions will factor into the conversation.
4. Allow time to include the other parent in the decision making.  When your child asks you for something that should be discussed with the other parent, do not answer right away and tell them you and their other parent will have to discuss together.  Unless an emergency, presenting parenting decisions to the other parent in a timely manner shows you value their input and allows them time to think.
5. Stand united and support the decisions made from those conversations to your children.  If possible, when there is a joint decision made it would be wonderful if the parents could talk to the children together about that decision.  Present as a united front and say “your mom and I have talked and we’ve decided that…”  If you show the division between you as parents to your child it may serve to create feelings of ill will with one or both of you as parents, which is not healthy for your children.
6. Stay Calm and Keep coParenting. Keeping your emotions under control, and gaining perspective from your supports will help guide you in deciding which issues should be brought up or not. A common topic is children getting bumps or bruises while in the care of the other parent and this causing an argument between the parents.  When this happens it is good to seek perspective from friends and supports, as sometimes emotions of the recently divorced run high and things seem worse than they actually are.  Before reacting think about whether the other parent did all they could to protect the child, has something similar happened with you, what was the intent of the other parent during the time with the child and what would be the outcome of bringing it up with the other parent?

Establishing a healthy coParenting relationship is attainable with supports.  Even when people feel that they are lost and hopeless in their efforts remembering the value of it for your children may give you the strength to keep going.  Although you may feel as if sometimes you are moving backwards in that relationship with time and commitment your children will benefit.

Related Articles:

• Tips to Manage Your Emotions when Co-parenting
• The Importance of Co-parenting With Resilience
• My Co-parent Refuses to Listen!
• Co-parents Who Feel the Need to “Win” Arguments
• Top 6 Ways to Prevent Conflict While Co-parenting