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Avoid common errors when co-parenting your child

On Behalf of | Jan 17, 2022 | Child Custody

Some Florida families will have to adapt and learn new ways of relating as a family after a divorce. Successful co-parenting will be the key to making sure the children, whether minors or adults, can also adapt and learn to live with their new family structure. However, there are some mistakes that might threaten how successful co-parenting can be and is best to be prepared and avoid them.

Successful co-parenting is all about communication

One of the most common errors parents make after divorce is using their children to communicate with each other. While it might be tempting to send messages through the children, this can emotionally harm them. Parents who do not get along should find alternative ways of communicating their questions and information with each other that do not put the children in the middle of the dispute. Parents can choose to text, email or even use apps that provide tools to help co-parenting families communicate.

Protecting the children’s emotional well-being should be a major focus

Divorce is hard on everyone and parents might be tempted to depend on their children for emotional support when they should actually be the ones offering the children that support. There are several errors parents often make that can negatively impact their children and the co-parenting relationship. These include:

  • Assuming their children will be fine with the divorce because they are emotionally strong
  • Conveying to the children that they need to be their parent’s ally in the divorce dispute
  • Questioning the children about everything that goes on in the other parent’s home, effectively asking the child to spy on their other parent
  • Oversharing intimate details of the breakup and divorce process that put the children in an awkward position

You and your children might both need emotional support during the process. In some cases, that support might be found with friends or mental health professionals, therefore protecting your children, and successfully co-parenting them.