You and your ex have recently divorced. It’s not as simple as you both just going your separate ways now because you have young children.
The court has signed off on a custody agreement and it’s now up to you both to make it work. You had many differences during your marriage but it’s vital to let them go now. What’s important is that you find some common ground with your ex.
Outlined below are a few things to consider.
Getting the fundamentals right
You and your co-parent aren’t going to have identical styles when it comes to parenting. Nonetheless, it’s important to remain consistent on some of the fundamentals. For instance, will your child be brought up observing a particular faith? Where will they go to school and what’s the procedure if something goes wrong, such as a medical emergency at school? Getting the fundamentals right is the first step toward successful co-parenting and it gives you a platform to build from.
There are professionals who specialize in assisting in the drafting of a comprehensive parenting plan. Mostly, these individuals have a mental health background and understand developmental needs of children.
Stick to the schedule
In some circumstances, you may need to divert from the parenting schedule a little bit. However, for the most part, the schedule is meant to be a default if you can’t agree to making some changes to the schedule. Consistency benefits both parents and the child. Children tend to benefit from stability and routine. The routine of a parenting schedule also lets parents know where they stand.
The best interests of the child
No matter what, something that parents can always agree on is that they want their children to be happy. Their best interests are what matters most. If you believe the children’s’ best interests are not being met and want to change the schedule, you may end up having a judge decide that for you. If you feel that your rights as a parent have been violated or believe the children’s best interests are at issue, then it’s important to seek some legal guidance.
