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What makes co-parenting work after a difficult divorce?

No parent wants to give up time with their child. That is why it is easy for custody negotiations to turn into bitter disputes. Regardless of how the dispute is resolved, most parents must still navigate co-parenting after a divorce.

Co-parenting can be difficult after a divorce, but here are some helpful tips for making it work.

1. Have a parenting plan

Most divorced parents in Wisconsin have a joint custody arrangement after their divorce. In this kind of agreement, parents share parenting time and responsibilities for their children.

Making a customized parenting plan can help parents distribute their time with their children and their duties equitably. An effective plan usually includes:

  • A detailed and accurate parenting schedule
  • How to approach vacation times with the child
  • Where the child will live
  • A shared parenting and childcare strategy
  • A process for making decisions regarding the child

How parents divide these responsibilities depends on their circumstances. However, the parenting plan usually should revolve around the child’s needs.

2. Set boundaries for communication

Divorce is an emotional time for everyone involved. It usually takes a while for those emotions to subside. It’s important for parents to develop a strategy to effectively communicate with each other.

This strategy can define what parents talk about as well as how they will communicate. For example, agreeing that all conversations should remain focused on the children could reduce the chance of an argument.

3. Put your children first

This notion always bears repeating. Prioritizing the child’s needs and interests for every decision provides them with stability in this new family environment. It also gives divorced parents a common ground. And finding that common ground is one of the ways to help co-parenting work.

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