coparent planner
One of the biggest fears for parents going through separation is the impact it will have on their children.
The decision to separate is not usually made quickly or easily and the process of ending a relationship is difficult. This is an emotional time for both parents and children and while we can’t help how we feel, we do have a choice about how we choose to act on those feelings.
We can choose to respond in ways that help children, over time, to make a positive adjustment to the separation.
Children’s worst fear when faced with their parents’ separation is that they did something wrong and that it is their fault.
Research shows that what children most want to know is that both mum and dad will continue to love them; that the fighting will stop and that both mum and dad will be in their lives (or if there are safety concerns, that at least one parent will be here in my life).
Telling the children can be one of the hardest, most painful parts of the separation process.
Children need lots of reassurance during this conversation and if possible, it is best if both parents can tell the children together. They need to hear that although things are going to be different, you will continue to take care of them, provide for them and keep them safe.
They need to know that they didn’t cause the separation and nobody thinks they did. Tell them that you love them over and over again and this will never change.
It’s important to have a clear plan about what the separation means for the children before you tell them. Let them know what their future living arrangements will be. Ideally, you will have an outline of what the co-parenting schedule will be. Be sure to address possible concerns around friends, toys, activities and school. Allow your children to talk about their feelings and encourage them to express them in a way that is comfortable for them.
There are many practical ways that parents can help children to come to terms with the separation. Throughout the transition, structure is very important. Wherever possible, maintaining a daily routine, school, playdates and activities can really help kids to adjust.
Children thrive in a stable, predictable home life so by maintaining consistency, you are helping your children to feel secure. Try not to argue or fight with the other parent in front of the children.
In most cases, it is in the best interests of the child to have a close, stable and ongoing relationship with both parents whenever possible. It improves the child’s emotional well-being and helps them to recover from the separation. It can also help a child from feeling divided loyalties and stop them worrying about why the other parent doesn’t want to see them.
Parents who have separated or divorced often develop a parenting plan. This plan describes your parenting arrangements and outlines the decisions you have made about caring for the children. For example, how you will share information with the other parent, how each parent will spend time with the children and how you will make decisions about the children.
Children benefit from a respectful and cooperative relationship between both parents. However, it can be very hard for parents to transition to this new type of relationship. How do you move away from an intimate relationship to a more business-like relationship, which is focused on the children?
The first step is to separate your former role as a partner from your ongoing role as a parent. Even though the relationship is ending, you will be parents forever.
It’s important to separate the children’s needs from your own and to create new boundaries with your former partner. It helps if you can focus on what you have done well together as parents and build on those strengths. Treat the other parent as your business partner – where the business is raising healthy, happy children.
When communicating with the other parent, always try to keep things business-like, purposeful and child-focused. Co-parenting calendars and communication tools such as coparentplanner, as well as email and texting, can help parents communicate in a professional, business-like way and focus on child-related issues.
Parents involved in a qualitative study conducted by the University of Missouri found that using technology effectively can make co-parenting easier, which places less stress on the children.
Divorce changes but doesn’t end families. Take the time to find the tools that work best for your family and, as business partners, make the investment needed to ensure a positive outcome for your children.
Teresa Virani