However you ended up in your co-parenting situation, co-parenting isn't easy when you're not together anymore. You might have different parenting styles, or conflict from other parts of the relationship may spill over into the co-parenting part of the relationship.
A good family law attorney in Utah can help you hammer out a co-parenting agreement that spells out such details as who has custody, what the visitation schedule is, and how much and when child support is paid. This can be helpful for cutting down on conflict, but there are still other areas where conflict can arise that can't be put into an agreement on paper.
With that in mind, here are three tips for successfully managing co-parenting conflict:
Choose your battles wisely
As a parent, we always want what's best for our kids, in every aspect of life. Sometimes this desire for the best can lead to unnecessary battles with our child's other parent.So it's important to choose your battles wisely. Fighting over every small thing is exhausting, creates tension for the kids, and sets up a negative relationship with your ex. It's hard to let go of control and trust your ex to do what's right by your kids sometimes, but to create the best co-parenting relationship and a healthy family for your kids, you have to do exactly that.
Decide what's most important and save the arguments for the big things: education, religion, dating, etc. If you only argue the big points, your co-parent will be more likely to listen to what you have to say and consider your concerns.
Back up the other parent whenever possible
Differences in values and discipline styles can often be one of the biggest points of conflict for parents who are no longer together. One parent disciplines the child in a way that the other parent wouldn't, or disciplines for something the other parent wouldn't. When this happens, it's easy to tell your child that you disagree with their other parent, and to ignore whatever discipline has been meted out.Whenever possible, however, you should back the other parent up, even if you disagree. Express your disagreement in private to your ex, if you must, but always present a united front to your child. Otherwise, your child will begin to think they can play you against each other, and this will create more conflict between the two of you.
Limit "outsider" involvement
A family law attorney in Utah can help create agreements to make co-parenting smoother. A therapist or family counselor can help everyone express their thoughts and feelings. But beyond that, you should limit the involvement of people outside the two co-parents and the children. Step-parents, new partners, grandparents, and family friends all may mean well, but they simply muddy the water with their opinions.Co-parenting isn't easy, but a family law attorney in Utah can give you a good base on which to build a better co-parenting relationship. Call Wall & Wall Attorneys At Law PC today for more information.
About the Author:
The Wall's have over more than 190 years of combined legal experience as divorce and family law attorneys. They aggressively represent their clients in matters including the complex and difficult issues surrounding paternity, child custody, alimony, grandparent rights, property and debt division.
Wall & Wall Attorneys At Law PC
2168 Fort Union Blvd.
Salt Lake City, UT 84121
801-441-2388
