If you're in a blended family, you may feel like it's hard to be a parent. But the truth is that we all have the same goal: to raise happy and healthy children. When your partner doesn't live with you full-time, there are some things that can make co-parenting even more challenging—and some things that will help make it easier.
Decide what you both want for your children.
There are many important decisions to make when it comes to co-parenting. The first thing you should decide is what kind of parenting style you want for your children. Do you prefer a traditional approach with a set schedule, or do you prefer more flexibility in terms of both time and structure? Once this decision has been made, it's important that both parents agree on how they will spend their time together as well as communicate effectively with each other.
It's also important that parents establish clear discipline rules so there aren't any misunderstandings about how children should behave (for example: "If I tell my son not to play with X toy he'll know that means no playing at all"). And then there are holidays like birthdays where everyone knows what needs doing but some people may forget until too late!
Know that conflict is normal and part of the process.
You're in the process of co-parenting and you're probably wondering: What if we have a problem with each other?
It's normal to have conflict. It's part of the process. It doesn't mean that one person or the other is right or wrong; it just means that there will be times when things get tense or heated, but this doesn't mean that you can't work together as parents.
Conflict is not personal; rather, it's an opportunity for both parties to resolve issues through communication and compromise so everyone feels heard and understood by their partner(s) as well as themselves emotionally throughout each day-to-day challenge life brings along with it (e.g., jobs leaving town).
Remember you're still a family, but a different kind.
As a parent, you will always be part of your child's life. You'll never be able to make up for the time they spent with their other parent, but there are things you can do to help ease the transition back into your own family.
The most important thing is to keep in mind that no matter what happens between them and their new partner, they still need both parents in their lives! It's not just about having a relationship with each other; it's also about making sure they feel safe and loved while growing up together as well.
You also have an important role as co-parents—you might not live together anymore or see each other every day like you did when they were small children (or even teenagers), but don't let that stop either one of us from being good parents who care about each other deeply enough so that our kids always know we love them unconditionally regardless if we live close by or far away from home."
This is so important!
It's so important to remember that you are still a family. You can't just give up on each other and pretend like everything is fine. This will only make things worse for everyone involved, including yourself.
It's also important to remember that you are still a team, even though many of the pieces may not fit together anymore as they used to. You're not alone in this process; remember your friends and family who love each other and want nothing but good things for their kids too!
It's also helpful to remind yourself how much support there is out there if needed (and sometimes when it isn't needed). There are therapists who specialize in working with families like yours—they'll help guide both adults through this tough time so everyone can thrive at home together again soon :)
Use technology to your advantage.
There are so many ways to use technology to help you co-parent, it's hard to know where to begin. Here are some of our favorite tips:
Use technology as a way of communicating with each other and the kids. If one parent is working late or away from home, they can use email or text messages (or even video chat) instead of having to rely on voice calls or face-to-face meetings every day. You'll save money on gas, too!
Keep track of everything that happens in your children's lives by using software such as calendars and reminder apps. You can also create an account for each child so that their activities will always be visible online—even if they're not signed into any social media accounts themselves (which many kids do today). This will make sure that nobody gets left out when it comes time for birthday parties or playdates at friends' houses; everyone will know what's happening right away!"
Make checklists, organize, and plan.
As you prepare for the arrival of your new family member, it's important to start thinking about what kind of parent you want to be. Do you want to be a hands-off type, who lets the kids explore their world on their own? Or do you prefer more supervision and involvement? This can have an impact on how much help or support each parent gets from the other.
There are also some things that need to be done even before bringing a new baby into the household:
Make checklists for all aspects of parenting (including finances) so there aren't any surprises during this time when someone needs something done right away.
Negotiate to make everyone comfortable.
You need to negotiate a schedule that works for both of you. Both parents should agree on the parenting plan, and make sure they feel comfortable with it. If one parent wants more help or less, then both parents should talk about it before moving forward with your child's plan for co-parenting. This can be done through an informal conversation or by setting up a meeting time in advance so that both parties know what the other expects from their role as parent—and vice versa!
If things don't go well during these negotiations, consider trying again when emotions have cooled down; this may mean coming back at later dates with more information about why certain decisions were made (or not).
Set firm boundaries
Setting boundaries for yourself and your ex is a must. You need to be able to say no, or not let him/her do something, even if it hurts your feelings. This can be difficult when you’re used to being so accommodating and nice most of the time, but there are times when saying “no” needs to be said—especially in cases where one person ends up hurting another person (or children).
Setting boundaries with the kids will help them learn how important it is not only for parents' happiness but also for their own well-being too! Children learn by example: if Dad doesn't want us hanging out at his house anymore because we aren't doing our homework then guess what? He won't invite us over either! If mommy says "no" when daddy says "yes," then guess what? There won't be any parties over here anymore either! The same applies here: if Mom knows that she won't get away with bad behavior just because daddy gives her permission...then maybe she'll think twice before doing something nasty next time around :)
You can still be good parents to your kids even if you don't live in the same house.
Good parents are supposed to love each other and their children, but sometimes that's not enough. Sometimes, they need to see their parents together. They need to see them happy and together, working on projects or just spending time with each other. And this is especially true for blended families: when kids see their parent's relationships as healthy ones, it helps them feel like they'll have good lives too!
You're still a great parent!
Even if you don't live together, it's important to keep the kids' best interests in mind. Set boundaries and stick to them (even if they feel like you're being unfair). Don't let things get out of hand—this is what will make or break your relationship with your partner and their children!
Parenting can be challenging, but co-parenting does not have to be. Remember that you're still a great parent, even if you don't live in the same house. Make lists and organize as much as possible so that your life doesn't become a mess!
