Parents who file for divorce might be ending their romantic relationships, but this does not mean that they are cutting off all contact. Texas parents can usually expect to continue their parenting relationships with their ex. Rather than focusing on divided child custody efforts, many parents are now considering how to make co-parenting relationships work even when their marriages did not last.
Co-parenting is different than simply sharing custody with an ex. Parents who choose to co-parent after divorce commit to maintaining a united parental front, and many even choose to lay down similar ground rooms in their homes. While some might view this as an intrusion from an ex-spouse, it can be extremely helpful for ex-spouses and children alike. When rules are different from house to house, children can grow frustrated from the lack of consistency and act out. When parents effectively co-parent, they can foster a sense of continuity for their children.
However, co-parents do not always come to an immediate agreement on rules. Many are fresh out of the divorce process, when emotions are still raw. Finding common ground for home rules might seem out of reach, but it can actually be easier than some might think. Divorce itself requires a certain level of compromise from some parties, and parents can bring what they learned from divorcing to their new co-parenting relationship.
Co-parenting is not for everyone, but some are eager to maintain active participation in their children’s lives. Addressing potentially contentious topics early on in the child custody agreement can help avoid conflict down the road, but Texas parents cannot account for every possible situation that may arise. By focusing on compromise and their children’s best interests, most parents can maintain happy and successful co-parenting relationships.
