When you become a single mom, whether it is through divorce or in my case, having a child out of marriage, you need to put your emotions aside and think about what is best for your children moving forward. Establishing ground rules for co-parenting is a critical step toward building a solid foundation for your children.Regardless of how amicable your split is (or was), O-Connor emphasizes that the agreement you reach with your former partner should be put on paper.
At the urging of a family therapist and mediator, my ex and I consulted with a family lawyer to discuss a formal parenting agreement or parenting plan. Our romantic relationships was over, but a lifelong relationship as parents was just about to begin.
Setting the ground rules for co-parenting early on saved us both a lot of anxiety, lawyers fees and potential court time. In fact, we bypassed family court altogether because we worked together as a team putting our childs needs first.
"A parenting agreement," O'Connor explained, "is a formal document that outlines an agreed-upon plan in which you and your ex will co-parent every aspect of your childs life."
Labels: single_parent
Posted By: Aspen/CRC