Now that you’ve divorced, you can take the time to build a stable life for yourself and your children. While you’re doing so, don’t lose sight of the fact that your ex is likely to be taking the same steps in their life. You may not have the same approach and goals to life after divorce, but you must be on the same page regarding co-parenting.
Co-parenting is much easier when you have a detailed parenting agreement and visitation schedule in place. But even if you can fall back on these, there are times when disagreements move to the forefront. Here are some of the most common reasons for this:
- Differing parenting styles: You can discuss this concern with your ex, but you can’t do anything to change their approach. All you can hope for is that they are responsible with how they raise your children and respectful of the decisions you make.
- Visitation mix-ups: For example, if your ex has visitation rights, you expect them to pick up and drop off your children as outlined in the visitation agreement. If they slowly begin to bend the rules and make their own schedule, it has the potential to impact your life. And when that happens, you need to speak up in an attempt to get back on track.
- An ex who disparages you to your children: If your ex continually belittles you to your children, such as telling them you were the reason for the divorce, it can quickly take a toll on your relationship with them. Your children may begin to look at your differently, and that’s not what you want. Make it clear to your ex that they should never put your children in the middle of your problems.
No matter how hard you try, you’re likely to come face-to-face with co-parenting disagreements. You hope this doesn’t happen often, but you should prepare for every possible situation.
If your disagreements are a result of your ex violating the parenting agreement and/or visitation schedule, talk to them about your concerns as you learn more about your legal rights. There may come a point when you have to request a modification from the court to protect your parenting time.
