Co-Parenting

As we know the village is very important when raising children. What is even more important than the village being a part of the child’s life? Having both parents. We also must remember we choose the parent that we are had the child with. Even if you were young when you became pregnant it was a choice that was made.

Being a single parent means not having the other parent around for any support at all.  As a single mother, I had to depend on my village for anything I could not do, or when I needed assistance. I would have to depend on them to help with picking my children up from school because I had to work. There were those moments when I could not rest from being sick because I had to still be a mother.

Single parenting is hard. No one who is expecting their baby would initially believe that they are going to be a single parent. The goal is to raise the child together. It is understood that things do not always go as planned. For different reasons, it can leave you as a single mother or father. Well, once this happens as a parent, we must do everything to ensure that both parents are a part of the child’s life. Even if one of the parents is not in the best state it is better for the child to know who the other parent is than not. Many times, it will take two mature individuals to co-parent. Other times it is easy. Co-parenting is for the love of the child. It also takes away the stress that a single parent will have to endure. It will provide the child of having a healthy balance. It allows the child to know how to work with others despite the differences or obstacles. The parents must have a united front and not allow the child to play each parent against each other. Children will test their limits with each parent to see what they will get away with. Depending on the age of the child when the parents separate will determine how and what all needs and communication with the child and parents to better inform the child how their norm will be. Boundaries should be established between parents, which will give them a good understanding of what is best for the child. There should also be mutual respect if the other parent chooses to move on in their life. Remember you chose this person, therefore if he or she is good enough to parent your child you need to trust he or she would not have anyone bad around your child. The goal is in the best interest of the child. If both parents have that in mind co-parenting should be a breeze. However, keep in mind when one parent makes the decision to keep the other parent out of the child’s life it can cause some long-term emotional damage to the child