When you’re going to be sharing parenting time with your ex, working on a new dynamic of how your family relationship is going to look can create a huge amount of stress. Here are three tips to help you set boundaries and get started down this new and often challenging path:
1. Set conversational boundaries
One of the hardest boundaries to set is understanding that you are no longer in a romantic relationship or a couple with your co-parent. At the very beginning of your co-parenting relationship, establish a boundary that your conversations will be primarily around the children.
2. Plan for regular discussion about the children’s issues
Having conversations on a regular basis can eliminate misunderstandings and conflict, but these do not need to be on a daily schedule. They should not be during drop off/pick up time, but when special situations arise.
Consider using your best listening and communication skills that you have learned with your co-parenting coach.
3. Keep things businesslike
Set a boundary around not discussing your personal lives or each other’s families. Think about how you would talk to a colleague or co-worker and communicate that way with your co-parent.
Karen Dorsey specializes in helping with communicating and setting boundaries even if you are dealing with a difficult co-parent. You don’t need to do this alone.