It’s time to put your hurt, anger and resentment aside to set-up an effective co-parenting plan with your ex-spouse. One of the biggest mistakes a parent can make during the initial stages of divorce is to focus on their own emotions instead of the needs of the children. Co-parenting is not about your previous relationship with your ex, but how you are going to move forward with the best possible outcome for your kids. This plan is vital to their future self-esteem, well-being and happiness. It is through the stability, strength and cooperation of this relationship that your kids will understand that they are important and that your love for them has not diminished but will always be a constant in their life.
When you work cooperatively with your ex-spouse you should:
1) Let off steam somewhere else.
Don’t fight in front of the kids. Vent to your friends, family or a therapist. Incorporate exercise into your daily routine to help get rid of negative energy.
2) Keep issues to yourself.
Never say negative things about your ex to your kids. This only causes them to feel like they have to take sides and contributes to insecure feelings. Don’t include the kids in your problems by having them act as messengers. Take the responsibility of communicating with your ex-spouse yourself.
3) Keep your kids the focus of your attention.
Look out for their best interests, not what will necessarily be easier for you. You are their role model, so act with decorum and take the higher road when conflict arises.
Co-parenting classes help divorcing parents learn the new skills necessary to get through this stressful time. It’s up to you to end the drama and conflict (at least when it comes to the kids) and follow certain strategies to help you work well together. Learn how to give your children continued stability and consistency between two households so they will feel safe and loved while going through this huge transition and for the rest of their lives.
Parents can often fulfill their mandatory parent education classes for divorce from the court system by taking the co-parenting classes online. This is the most relaxed and convenient choice because you don’t have to try and meet someone else’s schedule or drive across town to get to a classroom. Clients can take the class from an Ipad, PC or laptop in the comfort of home while the kids are napping, doing their homework or have already gone to sleep, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. This ability also helps parents who travel for work as the classes can be taken from any location that has Internet connection like hotel rooms, libraries, offices, and coffee shops. This alleviates the need to get a babysitter or disrupt the children’s lives anymore than absolutely necessary.
Online co-parenting classes have been successfully accepted in jurisdictions across the United States. However, clients should always check first with their judge, court office or attorney to make sure that distance learning classes will fulfill their particular requirements. If so, then taking an online class will prove to be an interesting, educational and low-stress way to learn new skills for successful co-parenting!