The end of your marriage will change your life in many ways, and you know that this will bring significant changes for the youngest members of your family as well. As a concerned Texas parent, you may believe that co-parenting offers your family the opportunity to maintain some continuity of lifestyle that could benefit your children. While there are many benefits to this type of custody plan, there can also be some difficulties associated with it as well.
One of the most difficult aspects of making co-parenting work well is good communication. When two parents are able to maintain positive communication, it is better for the children. Negative communication can have a negative impact on the kids, causing them stress and emotional duress. To communicate well, both parents may have to set aside their own feelings and work together for the good of the children.
The impact of poor communication
Working together is easier said than done. Sometimes, one parent may resort to speaking negatively about the other parent, or parents may have a hard time communicating in a way that isn’t hostile or derogatory. This can have a deeper impact than you may assume. Consider the effects of poor communication:
- It can make children feel like they are stuck in the middle, pitted against two parents.
- Over time, this feeling has a direct impact on their mental health.
- Parents who struggle to co-parent well are more likely to share their frustrations with their children, which is a heavy burden for them to bear.
It is in the best interests of the children to see their parents work cooperatively together after a divorce. This includes working as a team, speaking positively about each other and supporting the role of the other parent. When you can do this, you will be giving your kids a sense of security and stability after significant life changes.
A solid foundation
In order to make your custody plan work well, you have to start with a solid, thoughtful and carefully negotiated custody and visitation schedule. When you are working on this, it will help to think long-term about the implications of each choice you make.
Co-parenting is a difficult journey, but it may be the right path for your family. If you are considering this option or wonder how you make custody work better for your unique situation, it may help to first discuss your concerns and objectives with an experienced family law attorney.