8 Tips For Co-Parenting
Co-parenting is a beautiful thing, as is having children.
Whether you have recently become a parent or have been a parent for quite some time, sharing the responsibility of parenting your child with your significant other can be a big responsibility in itself. From schedules to different tasks, creating a special relationship to co-parent effectively is something every couple should learn. In this blog post, we’re sharing 8 of our top tips to help you co-parent more effectively. Read this blog post to learn more or try co-parenting counseling in Wake Forest, CO soon.
Tip 1: Make sure you are always communicating effectively with one another.
A big part of parenting is that there is more responsibility than you would think and with responsibility comes different duties. When you are communicating with one another and have open communication about everything that needs to be handled, it will help you parent your child or children more effectively.
Tip 2: Set up a schedule to effectively co-parent together.
From picking up your children from school or daycare to determining who puts them to bed, having a schedule that you both follow can be very useful. Whether you are married or divorced, having different duties that you each do will be very helpful. You can create a list that you alternate with each week or month, or you can set a dedicated schedule that you follow so your child knows each week who is doing what!
Tip 3: Spend time with your children, together, to help create a comfortable environment.
When you are co-parenting, you also want to make sure your children know there is always a positive environment between the three of you, whether you are divorced, separated, dating, or whatever it might be. Spending time with your children, even if it is for a short amount of time, is so important. This could be as simple as playing a simple game together or having a conversation with them as their parents. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve been married or divorced, it is still important to know that your child knows you are both there for them!
Tip 4: Create positivity and a safe place for your relationship with one another and your children.
Positivity is something we all need and having positivity in your relationship with each other and your children, as you co-parent, will always help make things run smoothly. This will also help make things easier, as you become parents or as you continue your parenting journey. This can also help empower your children to stay positive day-to-day in their own lives. This will be especially important if you are divorced because your children need to know that even with divorce, there is positivity.
Tip 5: Always have consideration for one another and for your children.
Even if you are not together anymore, it’s always important that you have consideration for one another and what they are going through. A part of parenting is always working together and even if sometimes you don’t get along, having consideration for what the other person is going through with your children in mind is what co-parenting is all about. It is also very important to make sure you know what your children are going through and to have consideration for them. Even in the smallest events, your children could be going through something. Having consideration and awareness of that is always important.
Tip 6: Always do your best to stay on the same page as your co-parenting partner.
When you are parenting, you want to ensure you and your partner are always on the same page, even if your parenting styles differ. Acknowledging that your significant other or your child’s other parent might have a different set of morals, values, routines, or parenting style is important. Your child will learn a different set of values and could have a very different experience with your wife, husband, or ex so it’s always important to acknowledge that.
Tip 7: See a therapist with someone who specializes in co-parenting.
Sometimes, we disagree. When we do, having a safe place to go to use our voice and to work through any disagreements can be the best thing for us. This can be done as individual therapy, to work through your own issues, or to do it together as a couple. This can also be a great way to get to a place where you are working together, especially if you are learning to parent together in a new way.
Tip 8: Use your tools to help you co-parent!
Having a toolset is so important, especially if you are co-parenting with someone you do not always get along with or with someone you might not know as well as you’d like. This is always a great thing to do to help keep your co-parenting relationship friendly. Even in the toughest of times, there are always tools to use to make things run smoother. For example, you could use a schedule and have a messaging system to help you communicate while you co-parent your little one.
Another resource to help you navigate co-parenting is the Mindful Co-Parenting Guide from Custody X Change.
Begin Co-parenting Counseling in Wake Forest, NC
Do you have any tips for co-parenting? Comment and share with us below! Our team of caring therapists can offer support from our Wake Forest, NC-based counseling practice. A co-parenting counselor can help you in navigating the challenges you face related to co-parenting. To start your therapy journey with My-Therapist, please follow these simple steps:
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Other Services Offered With My Therapist
We are happy to offer a variety of mental health services in addition to co-parenting counseling. Other services include online therapy, family therapy, individual therapy for relationship issues, couples workshops, and couples intensive therapy. We also offer support through foundations of lasting love and AAMFT supervision. Read our blog to learn more about us and our services!