Co-Parenting Positively After Divorce

By Rosalind Sedacca, CDC

Sadly, not every Family Law attorney is Child-Centered. Many are seriously too self-centered. They put their personal welfare before the wellbeing of the family caught up in the divorce. The outcome can be a higher conflict and higher cost divorce.

Michael Matracci, Esq. is one of the “good guy” collaborative divorce attorneys who avidly supports the concept and principles of Child-Centered Divorce. He is the author of an excellent book I’ve been recommending for you. Fighting Over the Kids: Resolving Day-to-Day Custody Conflict in Divorce Situations can be found on Amazon and  his website at www.divorcewithoutdishonor.com.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Michael, who is a divorced parent himself. He shared with me a valuable technique he uses when dealing with parenting issues with his former spouse. I loved the concept and am passing it along to you. Because divorcing and divorced parents face continuous challenges, month after month, year after year. And when you love your kids, you want to do right by them!  

Michael asks himself three basic questions. They get to the heart of what a child-centered divorce is about: doing the very best for your children.

When a parenting issue arises that he and his former spouse have to face, before he takes any action he first answers these questions. So should you!

1. If we were two “normal” married parents, what would I do?

2. If we were still married, would this issue really be a big deal?

3. Is this about our child – or more about ME and HER/HIM?

These questions put you in the right perspective for taking wise and effective action. They help you detach from the emotional “drama” of your divorce. Have you been caught up in your “story”? Feeling like a victim, abused, hurt, angry, jealous or exploited by your former spouse? By questioning your motives you can remind yourself that parenting issues are not about YOU. They are about what’s in the best interest of the children you love.

That can mean sacrificing some ego gratification. Or biting your tongue when you want to be sarcastic. Or being more tolerant of an ex who sees things differently regarding discipline, rules and other parenting choices.

At the same time, it can also bring you into closer alignment with your children’s other parent. And, despite the divorce, that will help you determine the best outcomes for your children together as their parents.

Most important of all, these questions will remind you that when it comes to parenting decisions, choose to take the high road! Be the “mature” parent who puts their children’s needs first. That’s always the answer you are looking for — and one you will never regret.

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Rosalind Sedacca, CDC is a Divorce & Co-Parenting Coach and Founder of the Child-Centered Divorce Network. She is the author of How Do I Tell the Kids About the Divorce? A Create-a-Storybook Guide to Preparing Your Children – With Love! To get her free ebook on Post-Divorce Parenting, and learn about her coaching services and other valuable resources on divorce and parenting issues, visit https://www.childcentereddivorce.com.

© Rosalind Sedacca  All Rights Reserved