1. Session 6
Co-Parenting

2. 1. Co-Parenting

3. 2. Parenting in Two Homes
• Work Together
• Minimize Conflict
• Self-responsibility

4. 3. Reassurance
• Loved by Both Parents
• Reduce Guilt
• Simple Explanation
• Ability to Voice Concerns

5. 4. Visitation
• Reasons for not Allowed Custody
• Child’s Sense of Time
• Be on Time
• Prioritize Visitation
• Spend Quality Time

6. 5. Reconciliation
• Normal
• Belief that it May Occur
Parent – Do not Give False Sense of Hope

7. 6. Choosing Sides &
Loyalty Conflicts
• Talking Negative About the Other Parent
• Experience of Emotions and Acknowledgement

8. 7. Communication
• Increase Communication with Children
• Ex-spouse Communication
• Create Records of Communication
• Lessen the Chance of Conflict
• Increase Staying Focused

9. 8. Permissions to Love Both
Parents
• Gift Giving Occasions
• Ability to Continue Rituals
• Phone Calls to Communicate
• Create Cards

10. 9. Two Separate Lives
• Two Birthday Celebrations
• Options for Celebrations

11. 10. Attention to Your Child
• Give Undivided Attention
• Have Dinner Together
Children often learn what is required to
obtain your undivided attention.

12. 11. Grief
• Family Routines
• Holiday Traditions
• Family Traditions

13. 12. Future
Relationship Concerns
• Take Time for Yourself
• Children’s Reactions
• Your Children’s Concerns for Future
Relationships
• Premarital Counseling

14. 13. Extracurricular Activities
• Time
• Expense
• Commitment

15. 14. Academic Requirements
• Homework Completion
• Requirements to Succeed Academically

16. 15. Parent and Opposite Sex Child
• Admiration
• Enter Child’s World
• No Excuses for Non-parenting
• Feelings of Abandonment

17. 16. Remarriage of Parent
• May Become Main Parental Figure if Biological Parent is Absent
• Become Vulnerable
• Divorce and Remarriage
• Blending Two Different Families
• Time with Children

18. 17. Adolescent
• Changes Associated with Maturity
• Parents Wisdom and Guidance
• Maintain Parenting Skills

19. 18. Single Parenting
• Allow Children to Remain a Child Without too Many Responsibilities
• Make Accommodations
• Older Children Should not Become the Parent

20. 19. Expectations Across Homes
• Consistency
• Expectations as Children Mature

21. 20. Surrogate Parent
• Stable Qualities
• Available Options
• Ability to Participate in Same Sex Parent & Child Activities

22. 21. Other Considerations
• Non-custodial Relatives
• Compromise
• Financially Competing
• Transition Adjustment
• Memory Bank

23. Thank you!