Anyone who has social media has probably seen some great examples of co-parenting working well for the kids. This is an ideal model if the parents can get along and focus on raising the children. Unfortunately, emotions sometimes get in the way of this.
If you and your ex have a co-parenting agreement, it’s best if you think carefully about how you can keep it working as it should. The situation can quickly devolve if either parent stops cooperating. Finding ways to keep things on track can help the children feel as stable as possible, and it can help the adults to reduce their stress.
Forgive quickly
As part of a co-parenting team, you have to be willing to do what’s best for the children. In some cases, this might mean working with your ex to correct situations the other parent caused. The goal is to ensure the children are thriving in a stable environment so try to stay focused on that.
Take ownership
You’ll likely make mistakes during the co-parenting relationship. Always be willing to admit to those and do what you can to rectify the situation. Trying to hide mistakes will almost always blow up in the future and cause your co-parent not to trust you.
Another key to a successful co-parenting relationship is having a solid parenting plan. It should include all the information you need to let both parents know what they’re expected to do. These agreements sometimes take creativity but everything should be set up so that the children’s best interests are at the center. Those needs may change as the child matures, so the agreement can be modified in the future if necessary.