One of the biggest challenges facing parents who are divorcing is how to create and maintain a healthy and effective post-divorce relationship, especially when it comes to (co)parenting their children. We know from the research and clinical experience that the single most important predictor of a child’s adjustment post-divorce is the level of conflict between their parents. In fact, parental conflict itself—whether divorced or intact—is a major factor in a child’s healthy development—or … [Read more...]
Ten Tips for Co-Parenting
Today's world presents many unnecessary stressors on children. For example, children should not have additional stress in their life from the two people they love and admire the most, their mother and father. These ten tips should help you co-parent in a more stress-free environment that will benefit not only you but more importantly will alleviate your child dealing with one less stressor in their life. Number One - Love your children more then you dislike the other parent. … [Read more...]
Co-Parenting and Collaborative Law
The phrase “Co-parenting and Collaborative Law” has a nice ring to it. But how does the collaborative process facilitate co-parenting? Does the collaborative process actually facilitate co-parenting at all? Co-parenting after divorce is difficult for most couples. What can we do in the collaborative process to enable effective co-parenting? When comparing the collaborative process to the litigation process, one can quickly realize the collaborative process offers more hope for successful … [Read more...]
What is Co-Parenting and Why Do You Have to Do It?
Having and raising children is a challenge. Having to co-parent children during separation or divorce can feel impossible. Children see and hear the sadness and anger taking place around them. Parents don’t always think about what is in the best interests of the children, because they are so hurt or upset by their own pain. Teaching parents to focus on what is truly best for the children is why most courts mandate parenting classes, in order to encourage more effective co-parenting. So, … [Read more...]
Communication and Co-Parenting
Communication is important in all aspects of life … work, home, relationships and friendships. Communication is even more important in divorce situations because emotions are typically high, and relationships strained. Although it is easier said than done, it is extremely important to communicate effectively with an ex-spouse. This will allow a better co-parenting relationship which is always in the best interest of the children. Divorced parents choose to communicate in many different ways. … [Read more...]
Collaborative Pandemic Co-Parenting: Putting Your Child First
I don’t think any couple going through a Collaborative Divorce ever imagined they would have to come up with co-parenting guidelines for a Pandemic. And although you may not have completed your divorce just yet, you still need to cooperatively co-parent. While a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic definitely adds to the stress of co-parenting, it also highlights why you chose Collaborative Divorce, over other options, in the first place. Collaborative Divorce and COVID-19 co- parenting … [Read more...]
5 “C’s” FOR CO-PARENTING AND COVID-19
For many parents, co-parenting when married is challenging and post-divorce it is darn near impossible. Different rules, different values, and different boundaries across two households can lead to significant conflict and difficulty in co-parenting. Add to this already bubbling cauldron of challenges a nationwide pandemic and shelter-in-place orders and the very real risk of boil-over readily rises to the surface, even for couples that previously had worked well together. Please read below … [Read more...]
4 Bad Habits of Co-parents and How to Break Them
It’s not a secret that co-parenting is a job in of itself, one that requires many hours of on-the-job training. And since there is so much emotional labor involved, one or more parties might be tempted to lean on bad behaviors in moments of exhaustion or frustration. Here are some bad habits to avoid as a co-parent and how to avoid them. 1. Using your child as a messenger Learning how to be functional co-parents is an extremely taxing and emotional process, so it can seem like an … [Read more...]
Why Does Collaborative Divorce Make Co-Parenting Easier?
Undoubtedly, divorce is one of the most difficult experiences for many people. Unwinding years of being together with one person is incredibly emotional. What makes it even more complicated is finding a way to navigate down this path when there are minor children involved. Many of my family law clients struggle to meet in the middle when it comes to raising their children in separate households. I had mentioned in my previous post that marriage is the ability to come … [Read more...]
‘Til Death Us Do Part Even After Divorce
‘Til Death Us Do Part – The Unintentional Fulfillment of Their Marital Vows, Even After their Divorce A former client called me today to ask what to do with regard to child support since her ex-spouse had died. After I told her, she thanked me for my help in their divorce. They divorced collaboratively. She went on to describe that in the eight plus years since their divorce, they had co-parented successfully. She said that even though people around them wanted them to hate … [Read more...]
