Life isn’t always as perfect as we’d like it to be. In some cases, a crisis will occur that impacts everyone in the family. When parents are divorced or simply no longer in a relationship, navigating through a crisis can be a real challenge.
Your children will benefit greatly if you and your co-parent can come up with ways to work together when there’s something amiss. Consider these tips to make the situation a little easier.
Focus on what the kids need
If there is something serious going on with your ex or those close to them, it might be best for you to offer to help with the children even if it isn’t your usual parenting time. You may be able to help distract the kids from the situation and keep them occupied while your ex handles the crisis on their end.
Make compassion and respect part of the equation
The last thing anyone needs when they’re going through a rough time is someone belittling them or judging their actions. Have compassion for your ex and show them the respect they need as your child’s other parent. Hopefully, they will do the same for you if you’re ever going through a crisis of your own. It may behoove you to remember that your ex going through a difficult time can directly impact your kids — so easing your co-parent’s stress is a gift to your children.
It’s best to have this type of situation covered in the parenting plan that you have with your ex. Your attorney can help you to determine what to include in the plan. They can also offer suggestions for resolutions to issues that you and your ex don’t agree on right away. Try to get this done quickly after you break up so that the kids can settle into the new way of life as quickly as possible.