Coparenting tips in Pennsylvania

On Behalf of | Apr 4, 2018 | Custody, Divorce, Firm News

When you have recently entered into a coparenting relationship with your ex spouse or partner, it is likely that it will take you some time to fully adjust. Any coparenting relationship has challenges, and there will likely be conflicts that take place in regard to what you believe is best for your kids.

In the state of Pennsylvania, the courts reward parents who can show that they act in the best interests of the child. Therefore, if you are considering filing for sole custody in the future or if you are worried about losing the visitation rights that you already have, it is important that you are able to show that your actions always represent the child’s best interests. The following are some tips for developing a strong coparenting relationship in Pennsylvania.

Keep it consistent

All children thrive from structure, even if it does not come naturally to their parents. Therefore it is beneficial if you and the other coparent sit down to establish a fairly strict weekly or biweekly schedule. You can arrange this around both of your work commitments. It can include details such as who will be taking them to and from soccer class, where they will spend the weekends, and how often they will spend week nights with each parent. This gives the children a sense of stability, and will reduce any anxiety that they feel.

Compromise is key

When you are a coparent, a good lesson to learn early on is that you will not always get your own way. Often as coparents, you will feel like the two of you are opposing forces, and this is OK. You should always keep in mind that you both are acting in what you believe is in the best interests of your children, and therefore reaching some sort of compromise is what will likely be best for them.

Exercise communication but respect boundaries

If you are to successfully coparent with you ex, you are going to need to have close communication. However, it is important to know where to draw the line. You both need to know your boundaries so that you can live happy and independent lives.

If you are new to coparenting in Pennsylvania, it is important to take your time to let your relationship evolve. If you are considering making a modification to child custody, you should conduct research into the possibilities.

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