Co-Parenting Graduation Tips
5 tips to help co-parents celebrate their child’s graduation without conflict.
Graduation is a special time for both parents and children. Whether it’s a high school or college graduation, celebrations surrounding this accomplishment are likely to take place. These gatherings may spur some new challenges for co-parents, but the situation can be made easier with these 5 tips:
1. Remember who you’re there for
You might have to see your co-parent numerous times throughout your child’s graduation season for various ceremonies, parties, meals, and/or other events. It’s important to remember that you and your co-parent are attending these gatherings to honor your child’s accomplishments. Even if you do not get along with your co-parent, putting your child first and remembering that you’re coming together to celebrate their success is key.
2. Let your graduate run the show
If there are decisions surrounding graduation events that need to be made for your group as a whole, consider letting your child take the lead. This doesn’t mean you and your co-parent can’t help your child make plans and arrangements, but give them the opportunity to tell you what they would like to do, how they would like to do it, and when. This can help reduce the potential for conflict between you, your co-parent, and other family members.
3. Leave unrelated issues aside
If you and your co-parent are working through any shared parenting responsibilities or conflicts, address them outside of graduation weekend. Discussing these matters during your child’s celebrations can be uncomfortable for all involved. If it’s an urgent matter, try to resolve it in a neutral setting or through TalkingParents. Just because you and your co-parent are at events together doesn’t mean you should stop messaging, calling, or documenting information through your co-parenting communication service as you normally would.
4. Keep consistency in place
If you and your co-parent have previously set rules or expectations for certain elements in your shared parenting relationship, these should also apply to graduation festivities. For example, if you and your co-parent usually set a limit or price point for gifts, graduation should be no exception. You and your co-parent may decide to forego guidelines for a special event such as this, but if your relationship allows, you should first discuss the matter and come to an agreement.
5. Allow fair participation
During graduation season, there may be activities or events that take place outside of your scheduled time with your child. If your relationship allows, you and your co-parent should discuss these festivities so you can gauge whether you can both attend. If your co-parent cannot attend certain graduation events for one reason or another, consider other ways you may be able to help them take part. TalkingParents enables you to share photos and videos with your co-parent in one, secure place.
Graduation is a time for celebration
Don’t forget to have fun with your graduate and enjoy this quality time together! Remember, putting your child’s best interests first should always be your top priority. As long as you and your co-parent keep this in mind, you will continue to make sound decisions regarding your shared parenting relationship and your kids.