Co-parenting can be challenging. If you co-parent with your ex, you can expect tensions to arise from time to time, even if your interactions are generally amicable. Understandably, you and your ex may feel passionately about certain concerns that affect your children. And perhaps, especially when disagreements arise over important issues like your child’s education, those tensions can turn into full-blown disagreements that may leave you feeling as if you’ve reached an impasse.
School-related concerns, such as which school your child should attend, participation in extracurricular activities and/or academic struggles, can lead to significant conflict between co-parents. Thankfully, navigating these disagreements in thoughtful ways – with a focus on your child’s best interests – can help you to both maintain a healthy co-parenting relationship and better ensure your child’s success in school.
Working things out
Ideally, you can avoid most school-related tensions by making an effort to keep each other informed about school-related matters, such as report cards, parent-teacher conferences and any concerns raised by teachers. Establishing a regular communication routine, such as weekly check-ins, can help prevent conflicts and better ensure that both parents are on the same page.
With that said, if you find it difficult to communicate directly, consider using co-parenting apps or email to share information. These tools can help keep conversations focused on your child’s needs and reduce the potential for conflict.
When disagreements arise, it’s important to keep your child’s best interests at the forefront of any discussions you have with your co-parent. Ask yourselves how the decisions you’re making will impact your child’s academic performance, social development and overall well-being. If it helps you to maintain focus, consider carrying a small object – like a smooth stone or something bearing your child’s picture – around in your pocket that you can hold if you find yourself starting to get frustrated with your co-parent.
Co-parenting is a task that is easier said than done. However, if you keep your eye on your child and your values as an academically-minded parent, you are likely to find ways through whatever disagreements arise with your co-parent. If you do find yourself in need of support, though, it is available at any time.