Co-ParentingSession 6

1. Co-Parenting

2. Parenting in Two Homes

• Work Together• Minimize Conflict• Self-responsibility

3. Reassurance• Loved by Both Parents• Reduce Guilt• Simple Explanation• Ability to Voice Concerns

4. Visitation• Reasons for not Allowed Custody• Child’s Sense of Time• Be on Time• Prioritize Visitation• Spend Quality Time

5. Reconciliation• Normal• Belief that it May Occur

Parent – Do not Give False Sense of Hope

6. Choosing Sides & Loyalty Conflicts• Talking Negative About the Other Parent• Experience of Emotions and Acknowledgement

7. Communication• Increase Communication with Children• Ex-spouse Communication• Create Records of Communication• Lessen the Chance of Conflict • Increase Staying Focused

8. Permissions to Love Both Parents• Gift Giving Occasions• Ability to Continue Rituals• Phone Calls to Communicate• Create Cards

9. Two Separate Lives

• Two Birthday Celebrations• Options for Celebrations

10. Attention to Your Child

• Give Undivided Attention• Have Dinner Together

Children often learn what is required to obtain your undivided attention.

11. Grief

• Family Routines• Holiday Traditions• Family Traditions

12. Future Relationship Concerns• Take Time for Yourself• Children’s Reactions• Your Children’s Concerns for Future Relationships• Premarital Counseling

13. Extracurricular Activities

• Time• Expense• Commitment

14. Academic Requirements

• Homework Completion• Requirements to Succeed Academically

15. Parent and Opposite Sex Child• Admiration• Enter Child’s World• No Excuses for Non-parenting• Feelings of Abandonment

16. Remarriage of Parent

• May Become Main Parental Figure if Biological Parent is Absent• Become Vulnerable• Divorce and Remarriage• Blending Two Different Families• Time with Children

17. Adolescent

• Changes Associated with Maturity• Parents Wisdom and Guidance• Maintain Parenting Skills

18. Single Parenting

• Allow Children to Remain a Child Without too Many Responsibilities• Make Accommodations• Older Children Should not Become the Parent

19. Expectations Across Homes

• Consistency• Expectations as Children Mature

20. Surrogate Parent

• Stable Qualities• Available Options• Ability to Participate in Same Sex Parent & Child Activities

21. Other Considerations

• Non-custodial Relatives• Compromise• Financially Competing• Transition Adjustment• Memory Bank

Thank you!