Unique Solutions for Amicable Divorced Co-Parents

 Posted on May 08, 2024 in Child Custody

Parents sometimes find that they are better as friends than as spouses. If you and your children’s other parent realize that you do not want to be married to each other anymore but can remain friends, you will likely enjoy a functional and peaceful co-parenting relationship. You have options that would likely not work for ex-spouses with a more contentious relationship. Your children can benefit tremendously from your continued friendship, as they will not experience the same degree of conflict that most other children of divorce do and will witness their parents working together. You can incorporate cooperative strategies into your parenting plan. A Wheaton, IL child custody lawyer can help identify the best co-parenting arrangement for you.

Ideas for Amicable Co-Parenting 

A few creative options for amicable but divorced co-parents include:

• Keep holidays a family affair - You may not need to decide which parent will have the children on which holiday. Your children might greatly enjoy having both parents and maybe even both sets of grandparents there on major holidays. Some blended families enjoy having large holiday gatherings. 
• Live in the same building or neighborhood - The closer together you live, the more frequently you will both be able to see your children. If you live in the same neighborhood or the same apartment building, you may both enjoy seeing your children daily. One of you could drop off the children for school each morning while the other picks them up in the afternoon. 
• Create a flexible parenting time calendar - If you are working together to create your parenting plan, you can plan for flexibility since you will likely be able to cooperate well with scheduling. When you can easily call each other to coordinate a last-minute custody exchange based on your child’s needs and your own needs, you may not need a rigid schedule. 
• Plan individual time with each child - Young siblings whose parents are in conflict often lean on each other for stability and companionship. If you are amicable co-parents, your children may not rely on each other as much and could enjoy one-on-one activities with each of you at different times. Try planning an occasional weekend where each parent gets one-on-one time with a child to enjoy special bonding activities, like a fishing trip for the boys and dad or a backyard campout for the girls and mom. 

Contact a Wheaton, IL Lawyer for Collaborative Parenting Plans

Andrew Cores Family Law Group will work with you and your spouse to create your family’s ideal parenting plan. Our dedicated DuPage County, IL collaborative divorce attorneys are involved in the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois. Contact us at 630-871-1002 for a complimentary consultation.