Co-Parenting Tips For Parents In Colorado

Moms and dads who get divorced can learn different ways to parent together for the good of their children.

For people who divorce while their children still live at home, concerns about how to best care for the children can be the most pressing at this time. Child custody determinations may become complex and even adversarial as both parents struggle to maintain maximum time with their children. When all is said and done and an agreement is reached, the focus shifts to how best divorced mothers and fathers can co-parent their joint children.

Whether parenting time arrangements were determined collaboratively or via a judge’s order, this issue is real. Most parents have the right mindset and want very much to create a peaceful atmosphere free from disputes for the sake of their kids. However, it can be difficult to know exactly how to do this.

Eliminate options for conflict

One of the primary ways to avoid conflict is to eliminate the option for it to even exist. Many couples whether married or divorced argue over finances. For this reason, several apps have been developed that make it easier for divorced parents to track expenditures related to their children.

A Huffington Post article notes that these programs can often calculate the amount due from each parent for a particular item based upon details entered from the divorce settlement. Others can go so far as to manage the transfer of money from one parent to the other.

Just be nice

As trite as it sounds, polite behavior can go a long way in one’s effort to collaboratively raise children after a divorce. A report in Psychology Today suggests that there is great benefit to kids of divorced families when they witness their parents speaking kindly to or about each other. Parents should be open to all opportunities to do this such as when making the exchange from one home to the other.

Custody arrangements in Colorado

The Colorado Judicial Branch website notes that instead of custody, Colorado puts the emphasis on parental responsibility. This responsibility assigns one or both parents as the party or parties that can make important decisions for the children such as where they will attend school, what doctors they will see and more.

Once that is identified, courts then make assignments about which parent will have responsibility for physical care and what the children’s living and visiting arrangements will be. Physical care can be awarded to both parents equally just as can parental responsibility. In these situations, the ability of mothers and fathers to cooperate well is paramount.

Check with a professional

At every step in the divorce process, new issues can arise. Getting input from a professional along the way is always important, especially when children are involved.