Co-Parenting Tips To Make Parenting Fair and Less Stressful For All Parties Involved
If you’re in search of co-parenting tips to help you navigate the unpredictable waters of single parenting, we have some sound advice for you to hopefully make things a little easier. These co-parenting tips will help make parenting fair and less stressful for all parties involved…including the kids!
Tip #1: Make your needs known
If you’re a single mama who needs help with the kiddos, there’s nothing wrong with that. This is especially true for moms who work outside of the home and need help with pickup and drop-off in the mornings/afternoons. You are only one person, and these are their kids, too. Make it known and understood that co-parenting involves both parties working together for the sake of the children. Don’t let the weight all fall on you, and be sure your ex knows they need to step up and take their fair share of the load.
Tip #2: Your kids are not to be used as messengers
Being a kid who has parents who are no longer together is hard enough. Do not use your kids as weapons, bash the other parent, or as messengers to send information back to the other parent. Keep an open line of communication on the adult front and do not expect your children to have to be the adult in this situation. Let your kids be kids, end of story.
Tip #3: Keep your negative opinions to yourself
Obviously you’re not going to be crazy about each and every little thing that your ex does with your children. But you know what? The same goes the other way, too. Instead of lashing out or making harsh comments that you can’t take back, keep an open mind and your negative opinions to yourself. Hopefully the two of you are both behaving like mature adults, so try and stay positive. You can think these disapproving things, but for the sake of your children’s well-being, keep those opinions to yourself.
Tip #4: Communication is key for success when it comes to co-parenting
The truth is, your ex does not have the superpower to read your mind. If you’re having a rational thought and educated opinion about something, let it be known. Communication in co-parenting is crucial, but this can prove difficult if communication was a downfall in your relationship with your ex. Think of this as a new relationship that will never end, because the two of you will always share these children together. For the sake of your kids, make the conscious effort to practice open lines of communication.
Tip #5: Remember, the two of you are a team
Think of this like that old saying that you used to hear in school: “There’s no ‘I’ in team.” And this is especially true when it comes to co-parenting tips. Just because things didn’t work out for the two of you as a couple doesn’t mean you can throw in the towel. This is because the two of you share human beings together and those human beings need the two of you to still act as a team when it comes to parenting. Whether you like it or not, you will have to hear input from your ex when it comes to decision making for the children. But keep in mind, this goes both ways! Your opinions are just as valid as theirs because these are children, responsibilities, and duties that the two of you share. And you know what that makes you? A team!
Do you have any of your own co-parenting tips which have been greatly beneficial to you as a single mom? Share them with us in the comments, we’d love to hear them!
Lastly, if you’re new, welcome to Single Mom Spot!
Here’s how you can get the most from our site and the resources that we have curated especially for single moms. Our mission is to help single moms live their best lives as women and mothers, right now.
Hostess
My name is Jenna and I am the founder of Single Mom Spot. I've been a single mom for almost 10 years now. I'm a Christian and mama to two kids that I love like crazy. I started this site because I know how difficult single motherhood can be...and also, how beautiful. I believe that single motherhood helped make me into the best version of myself as a woman and mom. My hope, is that through a connection point like Single Mom Spot, women can share their experiences and grow together. What an amazing thing if every single mom could live her best life as a woman and mother right now, in the middle of her most challenging life circumstance. How bold. How beautiful. How unforgettable. Thank you for reading and supporting Single Mom Spot.
Comment
Type Your Comment Here