A divorce generally does not mean a total end to interactions with one’s ex. On the contrary, there are a variety of different important things a person may need to work together with their ex on after a divorce. So, during and after a divorce, it can be important to keep the lines of communication with one’s ex intact.
This can be particularly important for divorcing parents. This is because, when co-parenting, careful coordination between parents can be vital. This includes coordination when it comes to rules for the kids.
There are a wide range of things parents have rules for their kids regarding, including: bed times, curfews, school activities, eating habits, chores and homework. When a pair of divorced parents differ greatly from each other in the types of household rules they have for their kids, it can create a great deal of inconsistency for the kids. Inconsistency can be tough on kids, particularly when already dealing with the many changes that come from their parents splitting up.
So, it can be very important for their kids’ well-being for divorced parents to coordinate their household rules as much as is possible given their individual situations. Having honest conversations with each other about household rules can be key for divorcing parents when it comes to establishing such coordination.
Given this, a divorcing couple’s ability to coordinate household rules, and other important parenting-related things, with each other (and thus provide consistency for their kids) can be greatly impaired when they end up, during the course of their divorce, completely burning bridges with each other and losing the ability to communicate in a civil manner with each other. So, for parents, avoiding unnecessary contentiousness and conflict in a divorce can be particularly crucial.
There are a variety of things that have the potential to lower conflict likelihood in a divorce. One is avoiding divorce litigation through instead resolving divorce issues through alternate methods, such as through using the collaborative law process. Divorcing parents can go to skilled divorce lawyers for information and guidance on such alternatives to divorce litigation.
Source: The Huffington Post, “Consistent Coparenting Eases Life for Children After Divorce,” Rosalind Sedacca, Feb. 29, 2016