When parents go through a divorce, the children may start to worry that they will have to live a fully divided life. It’s true that some children will have to do that because their parents aren’t able to have a healthy co-parenting relationship. If you and your ex are able to work closely together to raise your children using co-parenting, your children may reap considerable benefits.
Co-parenting means that both adults put their own differences aside and commit to raising their children together without being romantically tied. Remembering these benefits may help you to determine if trying co-parenting is a viable option for your parenting relationship.
Children learn effective communication
Co-parents typically communicate in a mature and effective manner. Your children may learn that even when adults don’t see eye to eye, they can still work as a team when needed. This may provide them with the basis of solid communication skills that can help them throughout their adulthood.
Children thrive in stability and consistency
Children whose parents are using the co-parenting model will likely be able to thrive because their situation is stable. Co-parents often utilize rules and schedules that are consistent between both homes. This enables the children to focus on building and maintaining relationships with both parents instead of worrying about adjusting to vastly different rules between homes.
It may be beneficial to include specific guidelines in the parenting plan to govern the co-parenting relationship. This gives both adults the ability to look back at the document to ensure they’re handling things in the right manner.