Raising kids after divorce can be a challenging and trying experience.

It will test your patience, understanding, and, above all, your communication skills. While many separated parents utilize the co-parenting model of post-divorce parenting, it requires a cooperative mindset some people just can’t muster. Parallel parenting is another model that allows parents to parent without interference. This model of parenting works well for couples who are unable to keep the peace.

Parallel parenting is useful for parents who struggle with being respectful to each other in front of the child. If you can’t keep conflict with the other parent at bay and this conflict is affecting your child, parallel parenting may help you parent independently yet along side the other parent. Key to the parallel parenting model is a solid parenting plan that sets forth guidelines each parent will follow with regards to major decisions about their child. Keeping the rest of the day-to-day details of parenting a child separate means each parent can parent in his or her own way. This can improve the quality of time spent with the child. Without the need to consult with the other parent on small details such as bedtime and school lunches, each parent has the freedom to parent as he or she sees fit. This takes a lot of trust and detachment.

Parallel Parenting For Peace

Parents who can’t get along use parallel parenting to reduce conflict for the sake of the child. But it opens up areas in the child’s life where it may lack consistency or dependability. In parallel parenting the parents agree in advance on major decisions regarding the child, such as education and religious upbringing, but do not consult each other over the small day to day decisions made. Co-parents, on the other hand, agree in advance on those major issues but continue to consult and touch base with the other parent on a day-to-day or weekly basis. This provides a little more consistency for the child. If you want to try to make co-parenting work, know that you can do it successfully if you keep your child’s best interests in mind. Speak with an experienced Massachusetts divorce mediator if you have questions about co-parenting.

Co-parents and parallel parents both need to reach agreement on many major issues in parenting, and they all need to create a parenting plan to do that. Regardless of if you and the other parent work together or apart on parenting, tackling your parenting plan and parenting time schedule are difficult tasks, ones you might need some guidance on.

If you have questions about custody and parenting time, contact Mediation Advantage Services for experienced family law help. Law Office of Polly Tatum can help you and your spouse negotiate agreements on parenting time. Based in historic Worcester with a satellite office in Northboro, MA, our firm serves all cities and towns throughout Massachusetts and Worcester County including, Auburn, Paxton, Leicester, Sutton, Grafton, Shrewsbury, Westboro, Northboro, Southboro, Holden, Sterling, Princeton, Worcester, Charlton, Millbury, Dudley, Spencer, Brookfield, Sudbury, Natick, Framingham, Hopkinton, Milford, Blackstone, Leominster, Fitchburg, Acton, Jefferson, Barre, Oakham, Cambridge, Newton, Marlboro, Lancaster, Bolton, and Hudson. Call our office at (508) 466-4734, fill out our online form, or email us at info@mediationadvantage.com today to schedule your Complimentary Mediation Success Planning Session. You can also sign up for our eNewsletter or download our free e-book for more information regarding divorce in Massachusetts.