Parenting children with your ex after you split up is sometimes a difficult journey. While you both want what’s best for the kids, you might be unable to work together. This is especially difficult if your ex is being unreasonable.
There are several things that you might be able to do to make the situation a bit easier. Consider these points as you’re dealing with your ex.
Focus on the children only
Never let the past become the focus of your child custody situation. Instead, focus on what the children need. Unless your ex was abusive and is a danger to the children, the past doesn’t have any place in the child custody matters.
Keep your cool
Your ex may know what buttons to push to get you upset. You can’t let that happen. Take the time to step away from the situation so you can calm down and think clearly about how you can help to diffuse the situation.
Communicate in a businesslike manner
It might help the situation if you use a professional tone and demeanor regarding the children. Being able to take your own emotions out of it could help you to keep a handle on your reactions to your ex.
Setting up the co-parenting agreement as quickly as possible after the separation can help to get everyone on the same page about the children. These agreements sometimes take creativity to get the terms hashed out. Having someone on your team who’s able to help you come up with options for contentious matters can help to reduce your stress.