If you’re a co-parent, we want to start off by saying “well done!” You’ve made it through the first month of school, and that’s something to be proud of.
Co-parenting is not an easy task. It involves strong communication skills, a willingness to be flexible, and a heart to create the best situation for your kid(s).
If you’re still finding it hard to shift from your summer schedule to your school schedule, this blog will help equip you with tips on how to better balance co-parenting. Whether you’re new to co-parenting, or have been doing it for years, there’s always ways to make things go smoother and to ensure that everyone is happy.
How to adjust to a new schedule
Starting a new school year doesn’t just mean adjusting to when school is in session. It can also mean adjusting to before and after school activities, playdates, extra-curricular activities, homework time, and more! It can be hard to know when to be flexible and when to be firm.
One of the most important things is that you communicate.
Communicate with your kid(s) and communicate with your co-parent.
Ensure that everyone is on the same page to avoid double booking or having unnecessary conflict.
Be gracious with yourself, and the people you’re navigating schedules with. It’s going to take time to adjust, and everyone is going to be impacted by the new schedule.
Co-parenting involves a lot of giving and taking. You’re going to have a more positive experience if you’re willing to listen to your co-parents requests, and do your best to accommodate when you can.
What happens when there is conflict in co-parenting?
We get it. The person you’re co-parenting with may not be your best friend.
It’s possibly you can’t stand them.
There is going to be conflict, and there are going to be times that you need to be the better person. It won’t always be easy, but it will pay off.
If there’s conflict in your co-parenting relationship, the most important thing is that you do not involve the kid(s) in the conflict.
Your role is to create a safe and loving environment for them, and dragging them into your drama is only going to cause harm.
Push aside the urge to be passive or harsh, and remember that you’re trying your best to make decision that will be best for your kid(s). You can confront your co-parent (when no kids are around) and work together to find a resolution.
Conflict can often come up when people need to navigate changes. A schedule change may cause tension, and that’s okay. It’s most important that both parties are willing to work together to come to a solution that is best for the kid(s).
A little note of encouragement.
You are trying your best. Co-parenting is a challenging role, but it’s an important one. Your child deserves to have both of their parents in the picture, even if it can be hard to navigate.
Keep on making the decisions that are best for them, and showing up for them whenever you can.
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