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Post-Divorce Communication between Parents
http://www.articleland.co.uk/articles/563/1/Post-Divorce-Communication-between-Parents/Page1.html
Steve
 
By Steve
Published on 07/28/2007
 
Post-Divorce - Topics for Discussion on Childcare Though both the parents remain separated, it is essential for them to function as a single entity as far as the child is concerned. They need to act in an expert manner so that the transition for the child should not only be smooth but also not be felt. When it comes to child care and development, some of the topics on which you might need to hold discussions with your ex-spouse are as follows:
    • Post-divorce behavioral changes in children
    • Health care and need for medical advice in case of any illness
    • Social movement, activities and habit formation
    • Discussion of day- to-day activities
    • Academic performance
    • Extracurricular activities
    • Professional development
    • Sharing of information about achievements on both the personal and professional fronts
    • Budgeting and allocation of funds for child development

    How to Maintain Effective Communication For a smooth transition to happen and to set up an effective communication process in place between the parents, here are some of the tips that you can follow.
    • Rendezvous – Setting up Meeting Schedules
      • After divorce, one becomes the custodial parent and the other becomes a non-custodial parent. The non-custodial parent gets to meet the child either during weekends or vacations. You and your ex need to sit down together and chalk out a schedule as to when each of you will be spending time with your children. Try reaching an amicable agreement which is convenient for both. Planning a schedule alone will not help. Both of you need to give in your best to meet your schedules. Not sticking to schedules might have a negative impact on the child. Promising a child of meeting him will set a lot of expectations in him or her. When you do not make it up, this will lead to the development of a feeling in your child that he or she is being ignored. In case the non-custodial parent is not able to make in time or will not be able to make up for the current visitation, the other parent should do the needful to have the child engaged. On the other hand, you also need to take into consideration your child’s activities into account. For instance, he or she might need to attend a special program at school for the weekend. This might warrant a readjusting of your own schedules. Be prepared for it.
    • Updating Contact Information
    If you are living away from your spouse and children, they may want to contact you every now and then. You need to have all your contact information updated with them. This would include your personal mobile, landline, workplace and neighbour’s number and above all your current email address. Another reason for updating contact information is to establish contact in case of an emergency. Apart from that, in case you do not turn up for a visitation, they might need to establish contact to know the reasons for you not coming in. You may also want to keep the contact information of your ex-spouse intact and up to date. There might be situations wherein you might want to visit your child or inform your ex about change in plans. Post Divorce Childcare - The Last Word You have separated. That is past. The problems are between you and your ex. It is not between your ex and your child. Do not punish your child by showing your frustration towards your ex. Your children will not quite understand why their parents no longer love each other or cannot stay together. Post-divorce, the world would have turned upside down for them. As parents, it is only you who can help them get back to their normal routine. After all, it is your child. You need to protect him, needn’t you? Now, you have a whole future ahead of you. Be responsible enough to work with your ex and adopt an effective co-parenting strategy.

    James Walsh is a freelance writer and copy editor. If you want to find out more about a solicitor managed divorce see http://www.managed-divorce.co.uk