9 Essential Tips for Co-Parenting with More than 2 Parents

Co-parenting with more than one other person can be difficult, but it can also be a rewarding experience. It is important to keep a few things in mind when dealing with this type of arrangement. That’s where we come in! Continue reading to discover 9 essential tips for co-parenting with more than two parents.

Parents who are divorced or separated often find that co-parenting is one of the most challenging aspects of their new relationship. This can be tough on children, who may feel caught in the middle and stressed by the tension between their parents.

To make this even more complicated, co-parenting in multiple households probably wasn’t what these parents expected when they decided to have kids. For these reasons, it can be especially hard to introduce another parental figure into your child’s life. However, there are ways to make the situation work better for everyone involved, including your child.

Communication is Everything

It is often said that communication is key in any successful relationship – this is especially true for co-parenting relationships. Many marriages come to an end as a result of poor communication, so divorced parents often struggle with communicating effectively. It is important that co-parents learn to communicate openly and productively, if not for your own sanity, then for your children’s. Keeping in contact with your child’s additional parents includes having conversations on the phone, remaining cordial in face-to-face interactions, text messaging, and communicating via email.

Keep Excellent Records

It’s no secret that parenting can be tough, especially when you’re trying to do it with someone whom you may not see eye-to-eye with. That’s why it’s so important for co-parents to document their interactions with one another, including important dates, times, and what was said. This way, everyone is held accountable and honest. Keeping excellent records is key to making co-parenting work.

Make Sure Your Schedules are Consistent

Try to establish a clear and consistent parenting routine between households, so that your children know what to expect. This can help minimize stress and confusion for them.

Kids do best when their lives are predictable and they know what to expect. This can be difficult for kids when their parents have joint custody and their schedules are constantly changing. That’s why it’s important for co-parents to communicate with each other and make sure that the kids’ schedules are as consistent as possible. If one parent is with the kids Monday through Wednesday and every other weekend, it’s important to try to stick to that schedule as much as possible. With that said, sometimes unavoidable conflicts will arise. If this happens, try to address them as soon as they come up so that everyone can be prepared, including your child.

Keep a Level Head

As co-parents, it’s important to try to remain level-headed and not overreact to every little thing that doesn’t go according to plan. This can be difficult when the other parent does something that catches you off guard or irritates you. However, it’s important for the sake of your child to keep your cool in the face of challenging situations. If the other parent is late for a child exchange or doesn’t invite you to an event. It’s best to save your frustration for later. It’s okay to express that you are upset, however, you should do this in private, without involving the children. In the grand scheme of things, these things are not worth upsetting yourself or your children over. This brings us to our next tip.

If You Have Disagreements, Keep Them Private

In most cases, parents who share custody of their children will have unique parenting styles from one another, and that’s okay! With that said, it’s not uncommon for there to be disagreements between co-parents about what is best for the kids. If you find yourself in such a situation, it’s important to discuss it privately, not in front of the children. Parents are their kids’ first role models. They need to see all of their parents as supportive and respectful of one another. In addition to this, having disagreements in front of the kids can make them feel insecure. So instead, try to work together to resolve your differences without involving the children.

Be Friendly with Each Other

In order to make drop-offs and pick-ups as smooth as possible for children, it is important for co-parents to keep things simple and perfunctory. These times can be sensitive for children, who may already be feeling overwhelmed by the transitions and changes in their lives. Therefore, it is best to avoid any drama during exchange times. This is not the right moment to try to discuss sensitive issues with the other parent. That can wait for another time.

Share Positive Experiences with Each Other

In today’s world, it’s so important to stay connected with the people you care about – even when you can’t be physically present with them. That’s why, whenever you have a special moment with the kids, it’s always nice to share it with the other parents. A quick text or photo can mean the world to someone who is missing their little ones. And in turn, they’ll be more likely to do the same for you when you’re missing your little one down the line.

Establish a Plan for Parenting

If you share custody of your children with someone whom you are not in a relationship with. It is important to agree upon a parenting plan. This ensures that both parents know what is expected of them and prevents any misunderstandings. A parenting plan can be approved by the courts, or you can create your own. Either way, it is important to be on the same page as the other parent and to communicate openly about any challenges that may arise.

Use a Shared Calendar to Keep Organized

If you’re co-parenting, it’s important to be on the same page when it comes to scheduling. A shared online calendar can help avoid conflicts by ensuring that everyone is aware of upcoming events. Simply sharing information surrounding important occasions like sports events, school concerts, recitals, and parties can help avoid disappointment and build trust. So, make sure you enter all of your family’s events on the shared calendar and everyone will be happy and informed.

Do It for Your Kiddos

It is important to try to maintain a good relationship with your ex-partner for the sake of your children. They should feel comfortable talking to both of you about their feelings and concerns. It is also important to remember that your children come first. Put their needs above your own and try to make decisions that are in their best interests. Remember, all relationships take work, especially co-parenting relationships. By following these tips and putting your child’s interests first, anyone can have a successful co-parenting relationship with more than 2 people.