Bristol County Child Custody Attorney Serving Clients in New Bedford, Fall River, and Taunton
When it comes to co-parenting with an ex-spouse, the transition from marriage partners to parenting partners should be the focus. Our founder and lead Attorney, Irwin M. Pollack, claims making the change from a husband-wife relationship to a co-parenting relationship is the first step.
Cooperative co-parenting requires that you focus on the present and on your child's needs. Start by letting go of past resentments, regrets and blame. Look for solutions. Once you adjust your mindset, our suggestions for co-parenting may begin the possibilities for you and your spouse reaching an agreement on the custody and visitation issues in your case.
Top-5 List for Co-Parenting After Divorce
Tip 1: Be reliable and deliver on your promises. Don't make promises that you cannot keep. This is sometimes the little things, not just lavish vacations. If you say you'll pick your child up from school, make sure to be there on time.
Tip 2: Take the initiative to be involved. Birthdays and other celebrations are important, but so are day-to-day functions. Your child will remember if you did not attend school functions and extracurricular activities. Don't wait for an invitation from your child or the other parent. Make an effort to contact the school yourself – especially if you're a custodial parent. Oftentimes, judges will ask parents what initiative they've taken to contact the school to inquire about school events.
Tip 3: Even though each spouse may have different parenting styles, focus on consistency. This will promote your child's trust which helps them feel secure and protected. If at all feasible and practical, children should maintain household and family routines they are used to. Where changes are unavoidable, key routines (such as bedtime stories) should remain routine.
Tip 4: Become a role model on treating your former spouse with respect. Despite how you feel, that person still remains the mother or father of your child. Don't let your child feel guilty about having to take sides or wanting to love both of you.
Tip 5: When it comes to introducing your children to your new relationships, take it slowly. Introduce dates as friends, and add tag lines such as, "so-and-so is my running partner," or "a co-worker from the second floor." Do your best not to have a slew of different men or women running through your home and a part of your children's lives – at least in the beginning.
Attorney's Fees – You Get What You Pay For
When defending yourself and your children, results are everything. The difference between the cheapest and the most expensive family law firm is trivial compared to the effect that inadequate representation will have on your life. Especially in custody battles, a bad outcome can result in financial set-backs, not doing right by your child, and tremendous distress.
Contact Our Plymouth and Cape Cod Lawyers for Custody, Visitation, and Parenting Plan Guidance
With a laser-like focus on helping children, our attorneys offer a level of expertise and skill that is unsurpassed on the Boston-South Shore, South Coast, or Cape Cod. For a free, no-obligation consultation call (800) 299-DIVORCE or contact us online.
