Checklist for Your Co-Parenting Relationship

• Use nice words and kind behaviors. Be clear, calm and specific in your requests.
• Expect strange feelings at first over the new relationship with your ex-spouse.
• Do not expect your ex-spouse to read your mind or to meet your needs.
• Build a business relationship while moving away from the expectations of an intimate relationship.
• Be honest, it's not usually "all the other parent's fault."
• Support a loving relationship between the children and the other parent.
• Facilitate access between your children and the other parent.
• Show common courtesy and respect even if you believe the other parent is undeserving.
• Give yourself some privacy and let the other parent have their privacy also.
• Act like a guest in the other parent’s home.
• Don’t expect praise or appreciation from the other parent.
• Keep the children out of the middle of conflict.
• Do not use your children as go-betweens.
• Spend alone time each week with each of your children.
• Remember your children are your gift not your property.