Marriages and relationships end for all types of reasons. However, if you are able to put your personal feelings aside and co-parent effectively with your ex, your child may fare better because of it. Studies show that children of divorce whose parents work well with one another experience the positive effects of that collaboration well into adulthood.
Co-parenting involves making decisions together and collaborating when it comes to your shared child, even though you do not live together in the same home. When you and your ex work hard to maintain a successful co-parenting relationship, your son or daughter may benefit in the following ways.
By misbehaving less often
When parents have acrimonious relationships with one another, it often impacts the child. Kids whose parents fail to get along with one another when it comes to raising their children are more likely to misbehave throughout adolescence.
By having a stronger moral compass
You probably want your child to know and understand the difference between right and wrong. Maintaining a successful co-parenting relationship with your ex may help your son or daughter develop a strong moral compass. This, in turn, may make him or her think twice before engaging in bad behavior.
By adopting similar habits later in adulthood
If, as an adult, your child has a baby with someone and the relationship ends, your son or daughter may emulate the co-parenting relationship you and the other parent shared.
You may find that a parenting plan helps you and your one-time partner maintain a strong co-parenting relationship. A parenting plan sets guidelines you both agree to follow when it comes to raising your child and may help prevent many disagreements before they arise.