Rock County, WI
Home MenuHow Parents Can Cooperate
- Eliminate referring to the other parent as "My Ex"; identify the other parent as "my child's mother" or "my child's father".
- Encourage good feelings in the children about the other parent and extended family members.
- Help the children to remember the other parent on special occasions.
- Communicate with the other parent openly, honestly, and regularly to help avoid harmful misunderstandings about your children. The use of an online communication program is recommended.
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Some examples of online co-parenting communication programs are:
- Plan in advance with the other parent for time with your children.
- Do not take sides or take issue with decisions or actions made by the other parent in front of your children.
- Have an agreement when determining appropriate discipline of your children.
- Refrain from fighting, arguing or degrading the other parent in front of your children or on social media.
- Do not withhold your child's time with their other parent as a punishment to your child or the other parent.
- Each parent needs a consistent and predictable role in the child's life to devote time to strengthening your relationship with your child.
- Use discretion as to the time and frequency of phone calls to your children.
- Except for emergencies, make changes in plans by mutual agreement, with advance notice to the other parent. Call ahead if unable to keep the pre-agreed time with your child.
- Be flexible in arranging dates and times with your children, so your plans do not interfere with the other parent's important family events or prior planned activities.
- Refrain from burdening your child with adult worries, whether financial, occupational, or social.
- Allow a new relationship to mature prior to introduction of new relationships to your children.
- Realize that time with your children and financial support are two separate issues. Parents should not withhold their children from the other parent because child support has not been paid. Nor should parents refuse to pay child support if they are not spending time with their children.
- Remember: You will likely be in social gatherings with your child's other parent beyond your child turning 18 years old - at their college graduations, weddings, birth of your grandchildren, special events or sports activities of your grandchildren. For the well-being of your children, be there together.