Co-operative parenting (sometimes shortened to co-parenting) is about sharing decisions and information about your children and making them feel as though they have two parents who can parent them effectively and together. It’s about communicating with your ex about your children in a positive and practical way.

Why Is Co-operative Parenting Important?

Much of the time, when going through a separation or divorce, parents will be experiencing emotional ups and downs. Such emotional turmoil can make it hard to step back and see things clearly. It can also be hard to see how we are going to need, now more than ever, to be calm and reassuring parents for the children. The benefits of co-operatvie parenting can last a life-time.

Some parents can end up using children as bargaining collateral, withholding access, wanting to feel as though our children are on their ‘side’. These can feel like small wins but really aren’t and cause long term damage.

On this hub you will find a number of articles offering support and advice on co-operative parenting. You will also find articles and videos looking at the longer-term impacts of separation and divorce.

Professions

Psychotherapist

Psychotherapist

Psychotherapists work with you over a longer period for more deep-seated issues. They help with psychological issues that have been built up throughout your life. You will probably have to go back to your childhood and discuss different life circumstances up until the present day to see how you were shaped and influenced. In doing so, you will get a better understanding of your feelings, actions, and thoughts. If there are past traumas or life experiences that are holding you back, then they will work with you to help sort them out. This can enable you to cope with your family break up and prepare for the future.  When looking to appoint a psychotherapist ensure they are a member of a recognised professional body such as BACP and you may want to consider their experience and specialisms.

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External Resources

Cafcass Positive Co-parenting Programme

This is a 12-week programme for families which provides structured sessions to parents in family proceedings. It aims to promote positive change, improve communication between parents and restore the focus on the child in cases where parents may have got stuck in their own conflict.

Fegans

Fegans is a charity offering flexible, solution-focused programmes that support, mentor and equip parents to manage their family life and relationships better.

The Parents Promise

An alliance of organisations have come together to produce the 'Parents Promise' to keep parents working together for their children.

The Parenting Apart Programme

A respected programme offering guidance, advice and support on how to work successfully towards co-parenting.

Family Lives

A guide to shared parenting.