Tips to Make Co-Parenting Easier

By Sheryl Rentz on May 24, 2013

Negotiating custody arrangements during a divorce can be a major point of contention between spouses, particularly because child custody has often meant that one parent is given the majority of responsibility for the children while the other is given limited involvement as a non-custodial parent. In recent years, more and more parents are choosing to share custody in an effort to ensure that both parents get to raise the children.

However, as children divide the days and weeks between each parent, moving back and forth between households, joint custody has its share of disadvantages. Many divorced parents may find that when they create an equal custody arrangement, they run the risk of becoming part-time parents, equally struggling to play full-time roles in their children’s lives.

Every family is different and there is no perfect arrangement, but the following tips may help make co-parenting easier for both parents and children:

• Connect with One Another – With the help of technology it is becoming easier for families to keep in touch on a daily basis. Check in each day by phone, video chat, or texts and stay present and involved in each child’s everyday life.
• Live Close By – If possible, living close by will allow children the freedom to see each parent at any time. It also cuts back on the frustration of spending a set time limit with each parent and having to pack up and travel.
• Create a Schedule – As much as possible, create a schedule and stick to it. Children need stability, and knowing what to expect each day can help maintain trust.
• Have Flexibility – When plans change, be willing to adjust. If the parents are supportive of each other as parents, the children will not feel caught in the middle.

The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, LLC are dedicated to helping families through the difficult divorce process. Contact us at (610) 645-0100 for a free and confidential consultation.