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Communication is Key in Co-Parenting Coordination

Co-parenting is all about cooperation. You have to love your kids more than you hate your ex in order to better communicate and to better act in the child(ren)'s best interests. 

Remember that the child really does love both parents and the most fundamental thing to remember in co-parenting is open, quality communication. Even if things are tense between the parents, it is important that they don't let it out during a parenting time exchange. Simple communication can lead to smoother interactions such as:

  • Don't speak poorly about the other parent, either directly to the child or within earshot.
    • i.e., "Your mom is always late!" when waiting with child for pickup.
  • Don't come off as accusatory towards the other parent when asking a question.
    • i.e. "Why does our son have a bruise on his arm? What did your new boyfriend do!?" Instead try, "Oh he appears to have a bruise on his arm. It doesn't appear serious. Do you know how it happened?"

In the following video, family law attorneys Jackie Dupler and Ben Judd offer communication tips for those in co-parenting situations along with best practices in managing emotions to create a more positive situation.

Parent CounselingThis video is for general information purposes only and IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE. If you seek legal counsel or need help in determining how this information applies to a specific situation, contact a Foster Swift family law attorney before taking any action. 

Here are some other resources and tools to help co-parent:

Categories: Co-Parenting

Jackie specializes in a wide range of family law matters, from straightforward divorce cases to family situations with more complicated circumstances. She also has extensive experience navigating family situations involving substance abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, mental health concerns, co-parenting, and financial difficulties.

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Photo of Benjamin R. Judd
Senior Attorney

Ben concentrates his practice on family law and business disputes, including serving as a family law mediator. Works directly with clients on everything from pre-nuptial agreements to collaborative and hotly contested divorces, to property, child custody, and child support disputes, stepparent adoptions, and petitions for grandparenting time. He has successfully tried and resolved complex cases including interstate custody issues, high asset cases with large businesses, and custody fights with physically and verbally abusive parents.

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