Many of the most common issues faced at the beginning of a post-divorce co-parenting relationship are caused by raw emotions and poor communication. Divorce has a way of bringing out the worst in many couples. Navigating the path that leads to marriage dissolution can make us say and do things we later regret. There are many sensitive issues that can come up during a divorce, and a few of those topics can leave feelings of animosity moving forward.
Ways Couples Hurt Their Coparenting Relationship
When couples with minor children divorce, it can be difficult to establish a successful co-parenting relationship. Many times, the issues that caused the divorce are difficult to overcome. If the relationship is strained after divorce negotiations, it can impact the ability of divorced couples to successfully raise their children together. If parents fail to build a working relationship, the children can suffer the consequences.
Here are several common problems divorced couples face when trying to co-parent:
- Failing to Create a Parenting Strategy: So much of coparenting is about being on the same page. When parents don’t have a shared strategy for how they plan to hold their children accountable, it can lead to confusion. Rules can’t change just because your children spend part of their time in another household. Seemingly easy issues of bedtime and chores can sound minor, but establishing consistency is an important goal for parents hoping for a successful co-parenting relationship.
- Cultivating Distrust: Once you and your spouse are no longer married, it can be difficult to accept that you have no right to know or ask about their personal information. Issues like dating, work, and finances are no longer shared business. Attempting to uncover answers to these issues using your children can breed distrust and be harmful to your child’s relationship with their other parent. Don’t employ your child as a spy against your co-parent. It will only hurt your relationship with your co-parent and your child’s relationship with you both.
- Closed Communication Channels: When there are problems in your co-parenting relationship, they can take over and become a barrier to open communication. Coparents need to be able to dialogue and feel confident that they can go to their counterpart whenever there is a concern that requires both parents. Divorced parents don’t have to be best friends, but they should be able to pick up the phone and call one another or send an email when necessary.
- Failure to Compromise: Parents need open communication channels when making major decisions on behalf of their shared children. The ability to build bridges over the pain and stress of a divorce can give parents the chance to create a new relationship that has their children at its center. While parents don’t need to be of the same mind on every topic related to their children, they do need to be open to hearing what their ex-spouse needs to say.
An Attorney Can Help You Resolve Your Issues
If you want a successful co-parenting relationship post-divorce, you must keep your eyes on your goal. Don’t allow a difficult divorce to derail your future co-parenting relationship. Divorce is a difficult experience, but you and your spouse can get through it by keeping your focus on what you want after the divorce is over. It’s not uncommon for divorcing couples to struggle with co-parenting, and at Beatriz Zyne, P.A., we can ensure you have the tools you need to get a custody agreement that you can your ex can live with and execute successfully. Couples ready to hire a Miami divorce attorney can trust our team. We are well versed in child custody laws in Florida. Call us now at (305) 876-6138 to schedule an appointment or use our online contact form to request more information.