A person who’s going through a divorce may look forward to the day when they don’t have to deal with their ex any longer. If you share children, that day isn’t going to come until the children are grown, and communication might still be necessary then.
Discussions with your ex might be challenging, but there are ways you can enhance the chance that they won’t be overly stressful. Using these co-parenting communication tips may be beneficial.
1. Remain calm and take breaks when necessary
Getting upset about the discussion can lead to increased stress and may lead to a breakdown in communication. If you can remain calm, you reduce the chance of that occurring. It may be necessary to take breaks from the discussion so you and your ex can calm down, review the options and determine how to work as a team.
2. Avoid discussions about the romantic relationship
Always keep the discussions focused on the children because they’re who are important now. It’s usually best to avoid speaking of the issues that led to the end of the romantic relationship unless they impact the safety or health of the children. You may have to steer the conversation back to the children if your ex tries to bring up the relationship problems.
It may also be beneficial for you to have a comprehensive parenting plan that outlines the major points of the arrangement. This may reduce some of the contention in the situation, which can help the children and adults. Working with someone familiar with these matters may be beneficial to ensure the plan covers all necessary terms.