Parents who share children and who aren’t still involved in a romantic relationship will still need to communicate. This isn’t always something that’s easy, but it’s almost always necessary.
The communication between parents can happen in many forms. Some parents use verbal communication through phone calls and in-person conversations. Others prefer digital methods, such as texts, emails and parenting apps. Regardless of the method, these tips may help to reduce the stress associated with communicating.
Remain calm throughout conversations
All conversations should remain calm. It’s often best to treat these as business-like communication because that may make it possible to keep emotions out of the situation. It’s likely also going to be easier to make the decisions that are in the child’s best interests.
Stay on the topic of the children
The children must always be the focus of these conversations. It’s sometimes easy to fall back on talking about the past, but that won’t be productive and could lead to unnecessary tension.
Be willing to listen actively and compromise
There will be times when you and your ex don’t agree on things related to the children. Taking a step back and listening to your ex’s view might not be what you want to do, but it can greatly benefit the situation. One of the keys to successfully being a parenting team is being able to compromise for the children.
The parenting plan should include the terms that must be followed for communication between parents. This should include points like the method and frequency of communication, as well as what happens in a dispute. It may be beneficial to work with someone who can assist with getting the plan together so it represents the children’s best interests.