Why Co-Parenting is Necessary for Children
Children are resilient, but they need support from both of their parents after a major life event, such as the divorce or separation of their parents. Children deserve to have an uninterrupted, relaxed, and secure relationship with each parent. Co-parenting is when two parents work together to raise a child even though they are divorced, separated or no longer living together. Parents communicate often with each other about the child and each parent is a valued participant in the child’s life.
How to Support Children During and After Divorce
When possible, a counselor should be utilized so that every child has someone safe to talk to about their feelings and someone to help them take positive steps forward in their relationship with both parents. The Indiana Parenting Time Guideline discuss a child’s basic needs, which include being free from having to side with a parent and to enjoy regular consistent time with each parent. Read more about a child’s basic needs here: https://www.erinjohnsonlegal.com/news/summer-parenting-time-focusing-on-your-childrens-best-interest-in-a-divorce.
Consistent Time with Each Parent
All children deserve parents who are excited to spend time with them and who are a consistent presence in their lives. Time with the child, often called parenting time, is often ordered by the Court or agreed by parents pursuant to the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines (found here: https://www.in.gov/judiciary/rules/parenting/#_Toc470860978.). However, when these guidelines were adopted, the Indiana Supreme Court intended that these were what they state to be – guidelines only. The best option is for parents to work together to form a schedule that is best the children involved, including allowing a child to pursue or continue cherished extracurricular activities, and benefits both parents. Working out your own agreement that fits your lives and your children’s lives benefits everyone involved.
Difficult, but Worth the Effort
All parenting, including co-parenting, is hard. There will be great moments and challenging moments, but focus for you and your ex-spouse must be to put your children’s best interests first, despite your feelings about each other. Take a look at this story where Mom, Dad, and Bonus Mom fought to parent their daughter together: http://www.lovewhatmatters.com/successful-co-parenting-from-two-moms-who-fought-their-way-to-make-it-work-and-did/.
This blog does not constitute legal advice, nor does it establish an attorney client relationship. This is for general information purposes as in most legal situations the facts and terms of an agreement between the parties can affect the results.