Having to continue to communicate with an ex because you share children can be a very challenging situation. In many cases, parents will have to put their differences aside so they can do what’s necessary for the children.
Because contentious situations can bring out the worst in people, it’s critical for you to take steps to minimize the stress associated with the situation. It’s not always easy to find ways for effective communication under these conditions, but these tips may help.
Keep conversations short
You and your ex don’t need lengthy conversations to discuss matters. Instead, keep these short by discussing only what’s necessary to ensure you’re making decisions that are in the children’s best interests. Shorter conversations don’t leave as much room for problems.
Have an open mind
There are often multiple solutions to a single situation. Being willing to listen to your ex’s ideas about how to rectify challenging decisions may be beneficial. In some cases, that’s the first step in being able to negotiate a suitable compromise.
Pay attention to your words
For some parents who are in a contentious co-parenting relationship, written messages are sometimes the key to stress reduction. After you write out a message, read it to yourself and determine how it sounds. If there’s a chance it might be misconstrued, reword it so it sounds better.
You should also ensure you have a parenting plan that outlines the guidelines for raising the children. This should include a host of information, including the parenting time schedule and decision-making powers. Working with someone familiar with situations similar to yours is beneficial, so you can ensure you have all applicable points covered.