Co-Parenting 101

If you are  co-parenting (whether coupled or not), you are not alone. You may be parenting in tandem with your married partner. Otherwise, you are probably parenting alone or co-parenting with your ex. You may be parenting on your own, relying on your own history, heart and skills aside from a detached relationship with your baby’s mama or papa. Statistics for 1st and 2nd time marriages ending in divorce have risen. More divorces are predicted as economic and financial security rises. Our society isn’t aligning with the family unit example of the past. Because of that, there are more single and blended families. Thus, more of a need for people to learn how to get along, and how to care for their shared beloved children is growing. There are various specifications of co-parenting today, such as married, divorced, single/never married, and even friends who co-parent but who don’t co-habitate. It is certainly a new world.

Many things factor in to the way a child is parented. The way two adults co-parent is another story. Even in in-tact families, there are strategies and styles that must be communicated as head of household. Whether living together or separately, every parent brings to their role/job their own abilities or skill set. The truth is that if motivated with positive intentions, most co-parenting situations can result in a cooperative formula that is beneficial to the child. Otherwise, each individual parent does their best without the agreement of the other parent. When done well, co-parents can also benefit and find a certain kind of peace and cooperation in the process. The key is that each parent can negotiate and re-negotiate to see what works best for their children. After all, the goal in mind and heart is always to support the best interest of the child. Co–parents, if mature and motivated, can learn to live with the co-parenting arrangement, despite unresolved issues between them. Even with unresolved angst or parenting differences, positive messages can be sent to the child about the other parent along the way.

Take the time and energy to invest in yourself and your child. This includes the way you parent and co-parent. Open up to new ways to relate; the best time is now. Live Inspired!R Nina~ www.LiveInspiredwithNina.com