Cooperation helps post-separation parenting
An individual seeking a separation from their spouse usually understands that they will need to involve a lawyer, but with collaborative family law, we include financial and family professionals to make sure that they receive complete support throughout the separation process.
One of the many ways that collaborative family professionals can help is with parenting coaches. A parenting coach, in this context, is able to give parents the tools they need to extend their peaceful conflict resolution into their parenting both during and after the separation.
Forbes recently published a survey about people seeking divorces and when asked what they were most concerned about during the divorce process, 53% of those with children responded that child custody was their biggest concern. This tells us that when children are involved, their parents believe that they are the most important piece of the puzzle.
The Huffington Post’s Rosalind Sedacca wrote an article last week about positive parenting after a divorce and mentioned that a parent’s attitude towards the separation will influence their parenting effectiveness both during and after the divorce.
This message resonates with us as collaborative professionals because we see the great ways that a non-combative separation can assist with parenting relationships. When parents are able to get the support they need and commit to cooperating with each other, children benefit.
“Parenting during and after divorce can be complex, frustrating and confusing. However, every day parents around the world are coping with the challenges and raising happy, well-adjusted children. There are many factors that influence your effectiveness as a parent.
… Attitude plays a crucial part in every facet of our lives and especially when we’re coping with divorce. If you approach your divorce with a commitment to making it as positive an experience as possible on behalf of the children you love, you are on your way to succeeding.
What attitude are you conveying about your divorce? Try to catch your thoughts and the way you speak about it. Are you filled with negativity? Are your days consumed with a “poor me” state of consciousness? Are you attracting and spending time with others who share those sentiments? If so, it’s time for an overhaul in your thinking and attitude.
A child-centered divorce is created over weeks, months and years of attention to positive parenting. It’s never too late to start regardless of how long you have been divorced. The decisions you make today will affect the relationships within your family tomorrow and for decades to come.” (Huffington Post)
If you’re interested in learning more about the ways that collaborative family law can include parenting coaches or other family professionals, please read through our News & Resources or use our search tool to find a family professional near you.
