Child custody can become a contentious topic for some couples, and it is easy for you to shut down and stop listening when your ex-spouse gets angry or frustrated with the situation. For your own sanity and the sake of your children, it’s important that you and your ex-spouse are able to be civil with one another.
Being reasonable is possible, even if you and your ex-spouse don’t get along. Some easy ways to help ease the tension of your custody arrangements include:
- Trying to give plenty of notice if you need changes made to the schedule for special events
- Allowing for reasonable changes if and when necessary
- Considering third-party safe drop-off points for your child if you and your ex-spouse argue or fight in person
- Speaking directly with one another to address issues
- Doing your best to respect your ex-spouse’s parenting, whether that means upholding a reasonable punishment or sticking to a bedtime routine that works well for your child
It is easy for people who are embroiled in an emotional battle of divorce to lose sight of the fact that their children need their guidance to understand how to handle situations like this. Parents who can be respectful to one another and be reasonable with one another are more likely to be able to move past their conflicts and raise their children without significant disputes.
If you and the other parent cannot get along well, your attorney may be able to help you by giving you tips to modify custody or make arrangements based on situations they’ve seen work well for complicated cases in the past.
