6 Tips for Sharing Child Custody Effectively

6 Tips for Sharing Child Custody Effectively

Posted on April 16, 2024 in Family Law

When parents go through a divorce, some of the most crucial issues they will need to address will be related to child custody. Most of the time, parents will have shared or joint custody of their kids, giving them both the right to be involved in major parenting decisions and ensuring that they will each have sufficient time with their children. However, sharing child custody is not just about adhering to a legal agreement; it is about ensuring that children's best interests are at the heart of every decision made by parents.

Working together amicably can be challenging for divorced parents, but with the right approach, they can create a positive environment for their children. By emphasizing cooperation and prioritizing children's needs, parents can make sure their children's ongoing needs will be met, and they can promote healthy relationships and provide children with the tools for success. Representation from an experienced attorney can ensure that a parenting plan will be put in place that will provide for children's best interests.

Tips for Effective Co-Parenting

There are a number of ways parents can promote healthy relationships and make sure they are working together to help their children grow and develop successfully:

• Establish clear communication channels: Parents will want to keep each other informed about their children's lives, including their academic progress, health issues, and social activities. They can make the commitment to communicate with each other in a respectful and civil manner, focusing on the well-being of their children.

• Create a detailed parenting plan: The language of a child custody agreement can play a significant role in ensuring that children's best interests will be protected. This play can outline consistent routines that will provide stability for children, including specific schedules for school, extracurricular activities, and parenting time. Parents should be flexible when possible and be willing to adjust the plan as needed, accommodating special occasions and unexpected events.

• Prioritize children's needs: When making decisions, parents should prioritize the happiness and well-being of their children without focusing on personal grievances. Each parent should do their best to encourage a positive relationship between the children and the other parent. This can ensure that both parents will be closely involved in their children's lives.

• Encourage open and honest communication with children: Parents can listen to children's concerns, discuss their feelings about parenting arrangements, and be open to making adjustments to suit children's needs. They can also provide security by regularly reassuring children that they are loved by both parents.

• Seek professional guidance: Mental health care can be invaluable during and after a divorce. Parents may be able to address their own emotional issues by seeing a therapist. They may also want to consider counseling for children, which will help them work through the emotions they are experiencing due to the divorce and the changes in their lives. Family therapy involving parents and children may also be beneficial in some situations, and it can help everyone navigate the emotional complexities of their new situation.

• Foster a supportive co-parenting relationship: Each parent should show respect for their co-parent's role in their children's lives, acknowledging their contributions and encouraging positive parent/child relationships. Parents can focus on working together to make important decisions about issues affecting their children, from educational choices to healthcare matters.

Contact Our Milwaukee, WI Child Custody Lawyers

Sharing child custody requires patience, cooperation, and a steadfast commitment to protecting children's best interests. At Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP, our Milwaukee, WI parenting plan attorneys can help parents take steps to resolve disputes related to divorce and child custody. We can help put agreements in place that will foster a positive co-parenting relationship. To discuss parenting concerns in a free consultation, contact us today at 414-271-1440.