For countless Minnesotans, marriage does not last forever but divorce certainly can. Divorce can complicate life for years, and in some cases even longer. Some suffer more negatively than others, but what’s important is that the children shouldn’t have to suffer. Every couple going through a divorce with kids involved should consider what is best for the children. One alternative that has produced positive results for many is co-parenting.
Determining child custody can be one of the biggest battles in a divorce. It can be an ongoing process which often results in damaging effects to the children and adults. The first step to successful co-parenting is reaching an agreement on a child custody arrangement. A common method of solving this problem is to find middle ground between the parents. Sometimes this is easier said than done, and for some couples it is out of the question. If that is the case there are still a few ways to help keep the children out of it. One thing divorcing parents should never do is make a child the messenger between the two.
There are several things that can go wrong with this. For one, the child may misconstrue the message resulting in more gratuitous frustration. Another negative is that they can sometimes feel emotionally responsible for the message. Another way to keep the kids out of the middle of child custody disputes is to avoid making the child feel guilty when they are with the other spouse.
When it comes to child custody, co-parenting can be the best way for children to recover from the divorce. Any Minnesotan going through a child custody battle should be sure to get the right information about their options, even if the divorce is amicable. Children should be put first when it comes to divorce.
Source: Huffington Post, “Rosalind Sedacca: Cooperative Co-Parenting: Keys to Making it Work,” March 4, 2013