Shared custody is not always the easiest thing to handle for Ohio parents who already had difficulty making their relationship work. However, shared custody does not have to be laden with conflict and can be a bearable experience. When you base your co-parenting relationship on collaboration, there is a strong chance that you will be able to make it work.
The most important thing that you can do when you share custody is to foster an environment of respect. You should make sure to remain professional in your communication and dealings with your child’s other parent. At the same time, you should execute responsibilities according to a plan. The more you have in a written co-parenting plan, the less room there is for conflict.
One of the biggest traps that co-parents can fall into is the nonstop fight for equality. Even shared custody does not always translate to an exact 50-50 split of everything. The most dangerous notion can be that of “mine” and “yours.” At the core of your co-parenting relationship is the communication between you and the other parent. Emails and texts are most often the best way to communicate because you are able to choose your words better when they are in writing. Make sure that you avoid the urge to insult your ex whether it is in writing or in front of the children.
A divorce attorney may assist with suggestions for devising and implementing an effective plan that can form the basis of a productive co-parenting relationship. The attorney may actually help the two parties form a better relationship in the future by putting them on the path of working collaboratively. By avoiding litigation during the divorce proceeding, the spouses may become better co-parents without the hard feelings that a trial can engender.
