According to recent research, nearly one in five children will experience a parental split by the age of nine. One of the most popular child custody agreements in Illinois these days is known as co-parenting, or shared parenting. Here are a few tips that may be helpful for those in shared parenting arrangements.
In order to make co-parenting work, parents must first work on themselves and iron out any lingering disputes. If one or both parents have not resolved their differences, they are sure to bring those same disputes into the shared parenting arrangement. This will only have negative implications for the children. To help keep this from happening, view the relationship as complete instead of a failure. It just makes sense that the co-parenting situation will be easier and more beneficial if both parties are happier.
Flexibility, consistency and stability are three important keys to a successful co-parenting arrangement. Parents should be forgiving and flexible with each other regarding scheduling, which will give the children a stable environment during tough situations. Communication is also crucial. It can be tempting to ignore a call from an ex-spouse, but when kids notice effective and cordial communication, they will usually follow suit.
When parents in Illinois separate, their main area of concern is the safety and well-being of the children. For this reason, shared parenting or co-parenting has become one of the more popular child custody arrangements in the United States. Those in Illinois who have questions about child custody and/or custody laws may want to consider discussions with a legal representative. A seasoned and knowledgeable attorney can help individuals determine the best arrangements for both children and parents.