Some divorces end so messily that it becomes difficult to talk with your ex. If you have children, this can make shared custody messy and difficult. High-conflict divorces do not only affect you but also your children.
According to WebMD, a high-conflict divorce may require you and your former spouse to look into parallel parenting.
What is parallel parenting?
Parallel parenting is a type of shared parenting where you work together to raise your children. However, with parallel parenting, you do not have lengthy discussions with your former partner as you would with co-parenting. You do not work together to find solutions. Instead, with parallel parenting, both you and your spouse have responsibilities and carry them out without the other parent’s input.
You may come to agreements on major decisions involving your child, but day-to-day activities are based on your parenting style. You may assign a different area to each parent to make decisions. For example, you may handle appointments and medical issues for a period of time and your ex would switch with you differently.
How do you benefit from parallel parenting?
The major benefit of parallel parenting is you and your ex remain a major part of your children’s lives. You still put your child first, even if you have difficulty interacting with your former partner. Children who have input from both parents tend to have higher self-esteem, fewer behavioral and emotional problems and better relationships with their families. Parallel parenting allows you to have a close connection with your child without having to go through the emotional turmoil of interacting closely with your ex.
Parallel parenting allows you to spend less time with your ex and more time with your children.