Co-parenting can be a hard road to navigate after a fresh divorce or separation, but it’s better than constantly fighting with your ex about parenting decisions. Your children deserve consistency, support, and stability in their relationship with both parents, and you cannot achieve this if you ignore the other parent’s parenting style. Being a great co-parent with your ex takes some effort, but using the tips below can make it much more attainable!

Leave the Children Out of the Middle

Your children have nothing to do with the dysfunction you and your ex-partner might encounter. Remember that you should never use the children as pawns to get something or put them in the middle of your arguments. It’s also important to avoid relaying information through your child. Communicating between both parents isn’t the child’s responsibility; use clear, direct communication when you need to say something to your ex.

Learn To Be Flexible

The world isn’t always forgiving, and nothing can go according to plan 100 percent of the time. There could be a time when your ex asks you to switch weekend schedules, or maybe a situation arises where they cannot have the kids at home for a few days. Regardless of the reason, it’s best to be flexible because you never know when you might need the same favor in return.

Respect, Respect, Respect

How you treat your ex teaches your children how to treat others and even how they can expect you to treat them as adults. Using foul language, showing disrespect, or constantly slandering your ex around the home can sour your future relationship with your children. Meanwhile, showing respectfulness is an excellent way to showcase how to be an engaged and supportive father. When respect is at the forefront of your relationship with your ex, co-parenting becomes much more straightforward.

Remain a Team

When you and your ex were together, you likely tackled parenting as a team. Just because you are no longer together does not mean you can’t still be a team. As long as you keep clear communication between you two, co-parenting can be very simple. Focus on coordinating and aligning with your partner on set rules, disciplinary actions, and schedules.

Develop a Support System

You might have heard the saying, “It takes a village,” when it comes to parenting a child. This statement couldn’t be more true—it’s even more prevalent when you’re co-parenting. Being a great co-parent with your ex also includes having a support system for both of you, such as friends or family. We always need a safe place to vent because—let’s face it—parenting is extremely tiresome and challenging. Having someone with a level head can help lessen the chaos you might feel when you and your ex disagree or the parenting plan isn’t going well.

Your children are likely the center of your world. Because of this, you’ll probably do everything in your power to ensure your co-parenting situation goes smoothly. It won’t be perfect the entire time, but if you keep these tips in mind, you will find it easier to communicate and respect each other throughout this journey.