Most parents in Tennessee who are going through a divorce will have to deal with co-parenting. While this can be challenging, there are a number of things parents can keep in mind that may help them work through their conflicts and make the process less difficult for the children.
One of the most important tenets is to put the children first. This involves fairly solving issues that might arise due to the children living in two different places. Parents should work through their emotions, including anger, in a healthy way. It is more important to maintain an overall atmosphere of harmony for the sake of the children rather than to be vindictive for past wrongs.
While parents may eventually want to start dating, they should not get their children involved in the details. They should also set boundaries with the other parent. This includes boundaries on how often a parent can contact the child during the child’s visitation with the other parent.
It is also important for parents to decide how they will handle teachers’ conferences and if they will attend them together. Their children may have preferences as well. Finally, parents should also practice self-care.
Working out a plan for child custody and visitation can be one of the most difficult aspects of a divorce. However, parents can start to begin effective coparenting at this stage. For example, if they are negotiating an agreement instead of going to court, they should keep the best interests of the child in mind just as a judge would. They may need to consider their own limitations in terms of work hours as well as what custody arrangement would cause the least amount of disruption for the child.
