North Carolina child custody laws encourage parents to develop child-centered parenting agreements that promote the child’s best interest. With that in mind, the courts often begin a child custody case with a presumption that joint custody is better for the child and the parents. Joint custody allows both parents to actively participate in raising their children.
However, joint custody requires effective co-parenting to be successful and in the child’s best interest. Our North Carolina divorce attorneys discuss co-parenting in this blog, including co-parenting success strategies.
What Is Co-Parenting in North Carolina?
Co-parenting requires parents to work together to raise their children after separation or divorce. It involves sharing the decision-making and responsibilities in an effective, positive manner to promote and ensure a child’s well-being.
Successful co-parenting provides a supportive, stable, and loving environment for a child. Even though parents may not live together or even like each other, the children maintain healthy, close ties to both parents. Co-parenting can reduce the negative impacts of divorce on children.
Successful Strategies for Co-Parenting Your Children
Co-parenting or shared parenting can be challenging for some parents. Parenting styles and personalities differed when you were married, which is unlikely to change now that you are divorced. Many reasons why you did not last as a couple make it difficult to agree on how to raise your child.
However, when parents are dedicated and determined to provide the best environment for their children, they can find successful ways to co-parent. Successful strategies for co-parenting include, but are not limited to:
- Develop a detailed time-sharing agreement and follow the agreement
- Be willing to adjust the parenting schedule when necessary to accommodate life events and unexpected situations
- Base all decisions regarding co-parenting on what is in your child’s best interests
- Develop consistent expectations, discipline, and rules across both households
- Use positive and respectful communication
- Discuss major decisions that impact your child’s health care, education, religious upbringing, and extra-curricular activities with the other parent
- Cooperate when making major decisions for your child
- Develop an effective and positive process for resolving disputes, such as working with a family counselor or mediator
- Determine in advance the process for a parent to introduce a new partner to their child, including standards for each parent to follow
- In addition to child support, define how parents will handle major expenses and financial matters, such as one parent desiring a child to attend a specific summer camp or a child wishing to participate in a particular program or activity
- Develop a plan for updating the other parent about what goes on when the child is with you
- Consider using an app or shared calendar to avoid conflicts and keep both parents updated about a child’s social and school events
- Encourage communication between your child and their other parent, including keeping scheduled visitation with the other parent
Working with an experienced North Carolina child custody lawyer to negotiate a parenting plan is essential for successful co-parenting. A poor custody agreement can set parents up to fail at co-parenting.
Another important factor in co-parenting is recognizing the need for professional help. Trained parenting counselors can help parents resolve issues through productive mediation instead of arguments and court battles. Even after a divorce, family counseling could help parents effectively co-parent their children.
Contact Our North Carolina Divorce Attorneys for Help With Child Custody Matters
At Greene, Wilson, Crow & Smith, our North Carolina child custody lawyers handle all matters related to custody, including allegations of parental alienation, child abuse, and neglect. We work with you to develop a parenting plan protecting your child’s well-being and your parental rights. Call today to schedule a consultation with an attorney to discuss your situation.