How collaborative parenting can benefit families

Florida residents may wonder about ways to handle a divorce that is in the best interest for their children. It is unfortunately true that divorce can bring out the worst in some people. Some parents may find themselves prone to angry outbursts. A lower-earning parent may become defensive and overly protective. However, if both parents can agree to take a step back and look at the situation calmly, it may be possible to resolve contentious issues such as child custody, support or visitation with minimal impact on the children.

One change that may be difficult to adjust to is the transition from parenting to co-parenting. Following divorce, parents who work together to ease the transition for the children may have an easier time than those that go through a more contentious process. An important part of co-parenting is communication. Parents who are willing to talk through things may be able to come up with an agreement that is fair to the father, mother and children.

Traditionally, men have been the primary breadwinners of families, and women have been the caregivers. Many people still think that, when a couple splits, the mother will take the children, and the father will pay support. This traditional model does hold true in approximately 85 percent of divorce cases. However, the stereotype does not have to be that way for couples that work together to structure their divorce. It is possible to defeat these traditional norms if both parents can agree to a plan.

A divorce lawyer may be able to help couples mediate a parenting plan that will be best for the children. An attorney also may resolve other contentious issues such as spousal support or division of marital assets.

Source: Huffington Post, “Moving From Parenting to Co-parenting: Joining Together in Divorce”, John McElhenney, November 20, 2013