Co-parenting means sharing the responsibility of raising your children after a divorce. Even after the divorce, you are still your children’s parents. That does not change.

It is important for your children to have a close relationship with both parents. Research shows that children with parents who work well together after a divorce, tend to have fewer emotional and behavioural concerns, and do better in school. Each parent may have a different role in helping their children grow and do well.

It is normal to find co-parenting hard, especially at the start. There may still be hurtful feelings or tensions between you and your co-parent. If this is your experience, you are not alone. The good news is, co-parenting is a skill that can be learned and improved over time. 

Many parents find that trying new ways, like agreeing on shared rules or finding better ways to communicate, can make a difference for their children. Every co-parenting situation is different. Whatever your situation, there are steps you can take and support available to help you. Read on to find out how you can co-parent in a way that supports your children.