6 Key Steps For Conscious Co-Parenting: Part Two
When you commit to a conscious divorce, you are probably doing your best to protect your children from any trauma related to the split. In fact, engaging in divorce with a positive focus can better prepare both you and your kids for your new lives. However, finalizing the divorce is only the first step. The true test is how you navigate your new relationship as a co-parent.
To this end, it’s vital you keep a mindful, child-centered approach to co-parenting. Conscious co-parenting means both parents put aside any negativity they may have toward one another so they can place their children’s needs first. Such collaboration can be challenging, so last week we offered three ways you can successfully navigate the process. Here, we continue with three additional ways to make conscious co-parenting work for you.
4: Respect your co-parent’s time with the children
It is important as a co-parent that you demonstrate to your children that you still want the other co-parent in their life, so don’t do anything that might stop your kids from having an enjoyable time when they’re with the co-parent. This means not scheduling children’s activities during the co-parent’s time, unless you’ve asked them first. It also means respecting their time together by not constantly calling or texting. It’s normal to miss your children when they’re away, but it will be easier and healthier for everyone if you respect their time together.
5: Get outside support
Divorce is often painful and unsettling and these underlying emotions can be overwhelming if they aren’t processed properly, which can have negative effects on your parenting skills. That’s why it’s crucial you have support systems in place to move through this phase of life.
There’s no single solution, so try a few different supportive outlets to find the one(s) that most suit you. Whether it’s therapy, support groups, trusted confidants, and/or meditative solitude, you should take this opportunity to practice self-care. For better or worse, our personal identities are often largely centered around our marriages, so it’s perfectly natural to go through a grieving process when they end.
6: Use conscious co-parenting to achieve personal growth
Divorce can completely disrupt your life, which strangely is why it’s a great opportunity for self growth. The steps discussed here were intended to help you adjust to your new life in divorce’s immediate aftermath, but they can also allow you to better express yourself throughout your life overall.
The strategies of successful co-parenting are also applicable to other types of relationships. Treating your co-parent in a compassionate, respectful, focused, and patient manner can provide the foundation for how you deal with all of life’s relationships and circumstances.
Beyond benefiting your life, you can serve as a role model for your children and live as an example of how they can deal with adversity in their own lives. Conscious co-parenting can provide them with an array of vital skills that will strengthen their ability to endure the trials and tribulations they’ll likely face in the future.
From custody agreements to alimony payments, there are numerous legal issues that can arise when co-parenting, so be sure you have the legal support you need by consulting with us as your Personal Family Lawyer® and we can help you identify how to get the best support possible. Given the fact that your family structure has changed, you’ll definitely want to update your estate plan as well. Contact us today for assistance with any of these matters.
This article is a service of Levi Alexander, Personal Family Lawyer®. We don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That’s why we offer a Family Wealth Planning Session, ™ during which you will get more financially organized than you’ve ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love. You can begin by calling our office today to schedule a Family Wealth Planning Session and mention this article to find out how to get this $750 session at no charge.
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