three Misconceptions About Co-Parenting – Baby Custody Authorized Blogs Posted by Brian E. McKinley

As parents go through the divorce process, some may not think or have guesses about what parenting will be with their ex once the divorce is final. Co-parenting brings with it a whole new relationship and situation that needs to be navigated. While some parents find that parenting together with their ex is easier than parenting when they are married, others may find it more difficult as they would rather not have any contact with their ex at all.

Co-parenting can be challenging at times; However, with the right mindset, parents can approach the situation positively and prepare themselves, their children, and even their ex for success. One way to help divorced parents address parenting together is to discuss a few misunderstandings that either side may have. Below are some of these fallacies that, if avoided, can help the process go smoothly:

• I will take the parenting time away from the other parent if they don’t cooperate.
One parent may think that if the other parent doesn’t cooperate, they can take their time. This approach can be detrimental to the best interests of the children and violate court custody, which can have a negative impact on parents. Court-ordered parental leave cannot be withheld from the other parent and, even more so, it can create problems for your children, who want and need time emotionally with each parent.

• My children should know the details of the legal process.
This is also another misconception that is not true. Parents should not give their children the details of the legal process, especially with the intention of distorting the children’s view of the other parent. For example, you shouldn’t talk about how you feel about the other parent or who pays child support. It is important to allow children to have their own feelings about each parent without being pulled in any particular direction. Additionally, the details of the legal process are likely too heavy for a child to keep on mind. As children grow older and teenagers are about to graduate from high school, both parents can speak with the children to get their feedback on any adjustments or changes to the custody plan that may be needed.

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• My ex and I need to come to an agreement on everything that concerns our children.
While it’s important for children to have consistency between households, it’s also important to be okay with small differences. For example, if one parent doesn’t choose the same foods the other parent would choose at home, as long as the parent makes sure that the child is healthy, safe and has a balanced diet for the most part, maybe the other parent should let go of their frustrations . On the other hand, if the child does not appear to be emotionally or physically in a safe environment, it is likely a time when action needs to be taken, e.g. B. the consultation of an experienced lawyer.

As you approach joint parenting after a divorce, we hope these misunderstandings help you approach the situation with the right mindset. Additionally, if you have any questions about mutual parenting or a problem with your mutual parenting, we recommend reaching out to an experienced divorce lawyer who can assist you as there may be times when you need to go back to court is an afterthought advisable.

To learn more about how our seasoned attorneys can help, contact us online at https://wildermahood.com/contact/ or call our Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania office at 412-261-4040.