Improve Co-Parent Communication With These 6 Helpful Tips
When two people make the decision to have a child together, they never want to think about the possibility of them ending up in separate households. However, as the divorce rate in Canada continues to rise, co-parenting situations are becoming the reality for more and more people.
When a relationship between parents doesn’t work out, it can be devastating for the entire family. Even after undergoing online divorce mediation in Toronto, they might still find that it’s difficult to keep the line of communication open. However, when co-parents are able to stay on the same page regarding their children, things run a lot smoother. In the long run, good communication will create a happier and healthier environment so your children thrive.
If you’re looking to learn new ways to communicate with your co-parent, you’ve come to the right place. Here are six helpful tips to help you improve your co-parent communication.
Keep Conversations Clear and Concise
Sometimes when co-parents go their separate ways, they make one of two mistakes: they talk too much or too little. Finding a happy medium is a must. When you’re communicating with your ex, it’s important to keep your children and their needs at the center of the conversation.
One of the best ways to do this is to make sure that your communication is as concise and direct as possible. This will minimize the possibility of miscommunication. When talking to your ex, avoid including unnecessary details and resist any urge you might have to pry into their life. Keep in mind, however, that being direct doesn’t equate to being rude. You should always engage in communication from a place of respect and understanding.
Decide on The Best Mode Of Communication
Depending on your situation, having face-to-face conversations with your ex might not be a possibility. However, even if you two are at odds, you’ll still need to communicate for the sake of your children. Together, you two should agree on the best way for you to communicate. For example, you may decide that you only want to have conversations via text because it allows you to keep a record of everything that’s been said. On top of that, texting can be beneficial because it allows both of you to take the time you need before responding. The most important thing is that you both agree on what works best for you.
Don’t Argue In Front Of Your Child(ren)
Even if you and your ex have a fairly peaceful relationship, arguments are bound to happen from time to time. However, when those moments do arise you’ll want to do your best to make sure they don’t happen in front of your children. Just because you and your ex are no longer together doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t still present as a united front when it comes to anything involving your children. Even if you think your children are too young to know what’s going on, arguing in front of them can still have a negative impact.
Keep in mind, though, that there is a difference between a minor disagreement and an argument. Having a disagreement in front of your children can actually help them learn how to handle conflict and solve problems. However, if tempers are starting to flare and voices are being raised, it’s best to take the discussion somewhere private so you and your ex can hash things out.
Set Mutually Understood Expectations
When two people are raising children together, it’s important that they each understand what’s expected of them. You should both know who is responsible for what and communication is the only way for that to happen. You and your ex should have a discussion that clearly outlines who is supposed to be doing what and when in regards to your children. This will require you both to communicate about even the most minor details to eliminate the gray areas as much as possible. Setting clear expectations also makes it easier for you both to hold each other accountable when the time comes.
Be Willing To Compromise
In a perfect world, things would always go according to plan and we would always get what we want. Unfortunately, that isn’t the world we live in. When it comes to your relationship with your co-parent, you should do your best to stay flexible and compromise whenever possible. After all, there may be times when things pop up at the last minute and you’ll both have to make some adjustments in order to make things work. At the same time, however, it’s essential that you set boundaries so that neither of you feel like you’re being taken advantage of.
Be Mindful of Your Tone
This one may seem simple, but a surprising number of people tend to forget that something as simple as your tone can completely change the direction of a conversation. When having conversations with your ex, try to consider your tone. If you approach conversations with an angry or frustrated tone, you’ll find that you're met with the same kinds of responses. Body language is also something you should be aware of. When conversations get tense, they also tend to be unproductive and can leave both of you feeling defeated. If you start to sense that your tone is changing, you may want to step back from the conversation and come back to it once you’ve calmed down.
Co-Parenting Doesn’t Have To Be Stressful
Dealing with the end of a relationship while also trying to do what’s best for your children can feel overwhelming at times. Getting back to a good place with an ex comes with a unique set of challenges, but if you both keep your children first, you may start to see some light at the end of the tunnel.
Co-parenting doesn’t need to be stressful — neither does divorce. For an amicable divorce in Toronto, turn to Unmarry.ca. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation or call 1.888.553.1322 and learn more about divorce mediation.
