Help Transitioning to a Co-Parenting Relationship

 Posted on December 16, 2024 in Child Custody

Co-parenting looks different for every family. Some co-parents have an amicable relationship and can attend their children’s choir concerts or baseball games together. Others are at odds and refuse to be around each other unless it is absolutely necessary, handling custody exchanges from the end of the driveway without exchanging a word. Many co-parents are not married or in a committed relationship when their child is born and will be co-parenting from the beginning. Regardless of your type of relationship, there are tools like co-parenting apps and co-parenting classes that may be required and can help you. If you are transitioning to being co-parents, you should be represented by a Houston, TX child custody attorney while you are making formal child custody arrangements.

Required Co-Parenting Classes 

In Texas, parents who get divorced or separate and need a child custody plan may be required to complete a class about co-parenting during divorce or separation. These classes focus on the children’s needs while their parents are splitting up. The goal is to help parents focus on their children rather than the conflict between them and their co-parents. If you are required to complete a parent education course, there are many options for completing the mandatory four-hour program.

The Role of Co-Parenting Apps

These apps are designed to help parents maintain a low-conflict and harmonious co-parenting relationship by facilitating child-focused information-sharing. Co-parenting apps can help parents share important news and updates about their children without talking directly. Most apps allow parents to share a schedule so both are aware of upcoming events, upload documents like their children’s report cards or medical information, and add important information.

Some courts may mandate the use of a co-parenting app in high-conflict divorce or litigated child custody cases. Co-parenting apps create records of how each parent has handled any temporary custody arrangements and can provide the court with valuable evidence that may be needed during future proceedings.

Involving a Family Therapist 

Even if you are getting divorced, a family therapist can still help you build effective co-parenting arrangements. Family therapists frequently see parents and children who are going through a divorce or separation. If you are willing to try a few joint sessions focused on creating a successful co-parenting relationship, a family therapist can help you learn to communicate about your children without creating more conflict.

Contact a Houston, TX Child Custody Lawyer 

The Cusic Law Firm, P.C. is committed to helping parents who are separating or getting divorced build a successful co-parenting relationship. Our dedicated Harris County, TX divorce and child custody attorneys will handle the legal aspects of your case so that you can focus on adjusting to a new way of parenting. Contact us at 713-650-1866 for a complimentary consultation.