Dealing With A Difficult Co-Parent

Dealing with a difficult co-parent can be mentally and emotionally draining at times. Maintaining a good relationship with your ex will not only help you have peace, but it will also provide peace of mind. Divorce is never easy, especially when children are involved, but co-parenting is detrimental in order to help your children get used to their new normal. Co-parenting can be as easy, or as difficult, as you choose to make it! Keep reading below for a few tips on how to make your co-parenting situation thrive during a difficult time.

Accepting Each Other

One major issue when it comes to co-parenting is learning to accept how someone thinks or acts. Just like in every situation, for a person to change they have to initiate it themselves and it has to come from within. Once you realize this and stop trying to control how they act, you can focus on your own choices.

Boundaries

If you are dealing with a high-conflict personality, they may try to discount your boundaries. If the individual you are co-parenting with is constantly trying to create drama in order for you to stay speaking to them, you will need to let things cool down. Rather than responding to every text immediately, you need to limit their access. Let your ex know that you have a set of rules and boundaries, just as they do. If they are messing with child support or interfering with your parenting time, notify your attorney and let them handle it.

Don’t Take Things Personally

Steer clear of conflict and your ex putting issues on you. If they are saying negative things about you or the way you parent, don’t take it personally and let it affect you. Instead, go talk to someone you know and trust for reassurance and quit reacting to the nonsense your ex is trying to bring into your life.

Talk to Your Children

If your ex is telling your children bad things about you or they know you two are angry at one another, it can be confusing on whether or not you talk to them. But, you should in a way that is age appropriate. Let your children know that they can feel free to ask you questions and also let them know it is okay for them to let each of you know they don’t like hearing negative things from either side.
At the end of the day, your children are the most important subjects in this type of situation and all personal feelings should be put aside to make sure they are happy. You have the power to choose how you will react to your ex and by disengaging in the drama it will help you to enjoy life and your children more. If you have questions regarding legal options with a difficult co-parent, contact Stephen T. Holman today.

Stephen T. Holman, Senior Partner, and Justin T. Holman, Partner, are committed to providing the best legal service in Pensacola, Pace and Cantonment, FL in a variety of legal areas including Family Law and Personal Injury. We specialize in Fathers’ Rights and will be there every step of the way to fight for your rights. Our office is located at 1940 W. Saint Mary Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32501. Contact us now for a free consultation at 850-435-6909 or go online at www.HolmanFirm.com.