Divorce is never easy, but when there are kids involved, the process is often messier and more challenging. If you don’t have kids to share custody of, you and your ex can make a clean split and not have to worry about being amicable in the future. If you share kids, however, you will always share a tie with your former spouse. Learning how to co-parent effectively takes time and patience, but these three tips can help you navigate the process.
Hire an Attorney
Because there are almost always negative feelings involved in a divorce, it is a good idea to have a mediator present when you divide assets or decide on a custody arrangement. The right divorce attorney Tampa will look out for your best interests while helping you navigate the legal process. You may not walk away with everything you want in the divorce, but the lawyer’s job is to make sure you are satisfied with the compromises you have to make.
Put Your Kids’ Needs First
Regardless of how you feel about your former spouse, he or she is still the other parent to your children. Your kids will still need time with your ex to reconnect and strengthen their bond with him or her, and while you may not like it, you need to do what is best for your kids. Unless your ex was abusive to the children, he or she should be allowed to spend time with the kids. This may require significant compromises on your end, especially during the holidays, but the important thing to remember that helping your kids feel safe and loved is best.
Keep Negative Thoughts to Yourself
It can be tempting to bad-mouth your ex around your kids, especially if you don’t like certain things your former partner allows your kids to do. These negative feelings have a big impact on your kids, so you should strive to keep your thoughts to yourself when they are around. If you have to vent, try to find a friend or family member who is available to listen to your frustration instead of your children.
Learning to co-parent is challenging, but it is necessary for the well-being of your children. Give yourself time to adjust to your new normal, and use these three tips to make the transition to c-parenting as smooth as possible. It will not be an instant transformation, but it will make the process smoother.
