Co-Parenting After Divorce and Orlando Divorce Mediation work simultaneously to help keep a family functioning despite divorce. Getting ready to have a divorce and deciding how to tell your kids can be scary. A divorce doesn’t always have to meant that parents can’t still work together. As a matter of fact, the best healing for any children after a divorce is when a healthy co-parenting relationship is established at the very onset of ending a marriage.
Studies show that a healthy co-parenting relationship is the best predictor of healthy children’s mental health after divorce.
If you are married and getting a divorce, choosing divorce mediation in Orlando fosters a more amicable ending. There is more emphasis on reaching mutual agreements that benefit the entire family, rather than right-fighting for individual needs.
Co-Parenting After Divorce and Orlando Divorce Mediation helps bridge a communication gap. It allows for the divorce process to move more quickly and for the parents to discuss the best options for their children together. This open communication sets a precedent for healthy co-parenting after finalizing a divorce.
When you separate or divorce it can be hard to break free of unhealthy communication habits. Setting boundaries and expectations is a great place to start. You can discuss not texting or emailing after 5 or 6pm unless there are emergencies, or not calling one another while at work. You can also agree to use an App, such as Talking Parent App or Family Wizard if this helps keep emotions out while you are discussing the details that involve your children.
Whatever boundaries you decide to set after finalizing a divorce, you should maintain them. With that said, when you think something isn’t working, then address the reasons why and offer a change. The purpose of any healthy boundary is to be able to ensure an on-going, good working relationship between co-parents.
This can be one of the hardest things to begin doing after divorce. It is also the most important. Begin to see the other co-parent as someone on your CHILD’S team, rather than your partner. Communication is no longer about what is going on between you and your ex, but only about what is happening with your child(ren).
Co-parenting after divorce requires a good system. It is common for a divorced couple dealing with co-parenting issues to use family mediation to develop a great parenting plan. This process helps provide the co-parents and their children with a road map for how things will go after divorce.
These are just a few ways that co-parenting after divorce can be done well. Every divorce case is unique, and every co-parenting dynamic takes time to develop. You can expect that you will need to have structure, but also allow for flexibility. The main thing to remember is that you try to remember that any positive effort you put into your co-parenting relationship will always benefit your kids in the end.
Heather Oller is a licensed mental health professional with a Masters degree in counseling and psychology. She is an expert therapist at Orlando Thrive Therapy, Counseling & Conflict Resolution and is a Florida certified family court mediator. She is also a qualified Parent Coordinator. She specializes in conflict resolution and alternative dispute resolution.
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