If you are not on good terms with your ex-spouse, you are certainly not alone. However, if you are in a joint custody situation with him or her, you must find a way to work together for the benefit of your children.
In many cases, this is easier said than done. It is possible that your ex-spouse is a narcissist or has another personality disorder that makes him or her hard to work with. It is also possible that the conflict between the two of you is simply too strong at the moment. In either case, a parallel parenting approach, as per Healthline, may be the answer.
Is this the same as co-parenting?
No. In a traditional co-parenting environment, the parents will put forth a united front to the world in support of the children. For instance, in a co-parenting situation both parents may be present and sit together at a sporting event to cheer for their child’s team. They may even bring their new partners if they have any.
With parallel parenting, the parents are rarely in the same place at the same time. In the above example, one parent may be present for the actual sporting event while the second is present at the postgame celebration.
How does this help?
The biggest benefits of parallel parenting include lowered stress levels on the part of the parents and ensuring that you keep the children away from conflict. Additionally, it is also very possible that as time passes after you divorce you may be able to transition to a more traditional co-parenting approach if you desire.
