Co-parenting tips after divorce

In the fallout from family breakdown, the challenge of co-parenting with your ex to raise healthy happy children can be a huge challenge. To help you navigate this difficult time, we’ve put together our top tips for making the process as smooth as possible.

Develop a Parenting Plan

Even though you no longer have a relationship with your ex you are both still parents to your children and it is important that you both agree on how they are raised. This includes the time spent with each of you, issues around their education, their health, diet, vaccinations, religion, introducing new partners, and the daily routines and bedtimes that help children to feel stable and secure.

In an ideal world you would both be able to sit down and reach an agreement after discussing your wishes for how the children are raised. However, this can be challenging, particularly in the early days. In this instance, you may be able to use a trusted friend or family member to help you reach an agreement.

If this is not possible then a more formal family mediation session or working with a family consultant can prove helpful.

You can find out more about parenting plans here https://www.cafcass.gov.uk/parent-carer-or-family-member/my-family-involved-private-law-proceedings/help-planning-together-children#:~:text=The%20parenting%20plan%20is%20interactive,%2C%20pets%2C%20and%20lots%20more.

Put your children’s needs first

To help minimise the impact of family breakdown on the children do not expose them to any conflict between you and your ex and do not bad mouth each other in their presence. What children need more than anything at this upsetting time is to keep to as normal a routine as possible, so try to keep everything on an even keel.

Ensure the children spend quality time with both parents and their wider family members

Again, spending quality time with both of you will help to lessen the impact of separation and divorce on the children. It’s also important for children that they maintain relationships with both sets of grandparents and wider family members on both sides.

Do not overindulge the children

While the guilt of separation and divorce can make parents overcompensate by spoiling their children, this will not help them in the long run.

As a specialist firm of family lawyers, we have a wealth of experience in helping couples to separate and divorce as amicably as possible. We have two trained family mediators and three of our solicitors are trained in collaborative law. If you are struggling with issues arising from separation and divorce, we offer a no obligation 60-minute initial consultation for £100 (incl. VAT). This will give you the opportunity to receive legal advice relevant to your personal circumstances.

To book a consultation, please call us on 01444 472700, email info@tisshawssolicitors.co.uk or complete the form below.