Co(vid) Parenting

While lockdowns are being lifted, some are still sheltering in place—including divorced folks for the sake of co-parenting.

Yikes!

"Living together with someone you no longer want to be with can be very stressful. In times like these taking a pause and counting to 10 (a lot) can help diffuse many situations. Otherwise, you will find yourself in a place where you both blow up at each other, causing high anxiety, fighting, and discomfort for all involved,” said divorce attorney Leslie Montanile.

That’s a lot of counting, possibly. Montanile offers some ways for parents to collaborate on co-parenting when their relationship isn’t great.

Keep your distance while living in the same house. For your health and mental well-being, it is absolutely necessary. If you and your spouse are already in the midst of a divorce or are separated but currently under the same roof, then this is an excellent time to practice at home social distancing.

You must focus on parenting together. Your children need to feel safe and secure during this time, and it's up to you the parents to make that happen. There are no excuses here.

Do something good for yourself each day. Going through a divorce or a separation is stressful enough. Add in today’s circumstances, and you may find yourself more anxious than usual if you can’t exercise each day. Walk or run outside, put on music and dance in your own space, do yoga or meditate, or if you like to bicycle, go for a ride. This will keep you in a good mental state, and your body will thank you too.

Crack Wise-dom: Act like adults and focus on the kiddos because homiciding is against the law…

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