What is parallel parenting?
Parallel parenting is a way of raising a child after divorce. While it is not ideal, in some situations, it may be necessary.
Working together as parents can be challenging after divorce
Children benefit when both parents take an active role in their life after divorce, except when one parent is abusive or has addictions that could endanger the child.
Sharing parenting can be difficult. Yet, most couples manage to put their differences aside enough to co-parent. It means you can go to parent’s evening together. You can discuss things when you need to and so on.
Yet, if your marriage was abusive, co-parenting may be unhealthy for you and your child. Your partner may use communication about your child to try and regain control over you. Or they could create conflict every time you meet. That is where parallel parenting comes in.
Parallel parenting can work when co-parenting cannot
Parallel parenting is a way to minimize the contact you have with your spouse. It is a way for two parents to stay in their child’s life while preventing harm between them. To make it work, you need strict organization and rules. You can communicate via parenting apps or email rather than picking up the phone or face to face. You can stick to a regular schedule to reduce the need to coordinate. Handovers can take place at a designated location to avoid entering each other’s space.
You can set out your parallel parenting plans as part of your child custody agreement. While it may seem mechanical to your child, it is better than seeing conflict between their parents. Or having one parent harm the other.