Despite knowing that two parents are better than one for your children, it may be difficult to imagine working together with your ex following a divorce. High-conflict divorce makes it difficult for two people to make agreements and work together without fighting.
While children need both parents in their life, they do not need to witness fighting either. Parallel parenting, unlike co-parenting, limits the communication between parents while allowing them to continue sharing responsibilities.
How to handle parental obligations within a parallel parenting plan
Parallel parenting requires you to have a detailed parenting plan. You need to have a clear visitation and parenting schedule. If one of you has to miss your visitation or needs extra time with the kids, you need clauses within the parenting plan explaining what to do in those situations. The more thorough of a plan you have, the less room you have for mistakes. Likewise, you must plan for arguments. Determine what happens if you two disagree. Sometimes, you may want to have a mediator to look over your arguments whenever they occur.
How to communicate within a parallel parenting plan
You should make a point not to communicate in person unless absolutely necessary. Exchange messages via e-mail, text message or co-parenting apps. When you communicate digitally, you have time to think over what you want to say. Additionally, you can save all of your communication.
When parallel parenting, be careful not to talk badly about your ex in front of your children. Even if you have conflict, you need to remain positive and support the relationship between the other parent and your kids.
