As part of your divorce, you and your soon-to-be-ex-partner feel you both want joint custody of your shared children. To provide the most favorable post-divorce life for your kids, you want to know how to make the most of joint custody.
Parents magazine provides suggestions for raising your children jointly with an ex-spouse. Understand how to amplify your child’s life with a minimum of strife between yourself and your former husband or wife.
Keep the focus on the children
No matter the state of your divorce or how you feel about your partner, you must concentrate on providing for your shared kids and doing what makes them happy. With every aspect of your joint custody arrangement, ask yourself which choices benefit your children the most.
Say only nice things about your former spouse
When in the presence of your kids or speaking where your children may overhear, do not badmouth your ex or offer criticisms. If your child hears harsh words directed at the other parent, she or he may take what you say to heart and think you feel the same way about her or him. If you need to vent about your soon-to-be-former-partner, do in where and when you know your children cannot hear or see you.
Keep it real
As you work with your ex to arrange for pickups and drop-offs and outings with your children, practice honesty regarding your availability. While you may want to spend a lot of time with your kids, work or other obligations may force you to scale back. You do not want to make promises you know you cannot keep, as that may disappoint your kids.
Take steps to personalize and maximize your joint custody arrangement. A little effort may make post-divorce life better for yourself and your children.