Arguably one of the most difficult things to do while parenting through divorce, is to keep your children from being exposed to your conflict. After all, no matter how you feel about one another— you are still parents to your children. So, how can you keep conflict concealed when you’re working through a divorce, and figuring out co-parenting? After all, you’re new at this too, and there are a lot of feelings you two are still working through. So, we’re here to help
How-to Keep Conflict Concealed During During Divorce: Protecting your Kids from Arguments
Obviously, the best thing you can do for your child is to keep them out of the middle. Discuss your issues with one another, keep the kids away from it, and if you need to have a serious discussion, or share choice words— do it in the right time and place. You don’t have to be friends, just successful co-parents. While this is inevitably easier said than done, it comes in practice. You won’t be perfect from the start, and no one expects you to be.
You want your children to remain unbiased
Keeping your child from having a bias towards one parent or the other means not talking down about one another in the presence of your child. If you two feel a certain way about one another, that’s perfectly fine. However, successful co-parenting means co-existing in the sense that you can hold it together as you go through the motions for your child. You don’t have to like each other, you just have to create the proper time and space to address those feelings.
Put it in writing
If you can address concerns and keep conflict concealed by writing, do it. Some couples might find that they’re able to best address their true feelings when they write them down. This is a great way to get a thought out in a non-hostile way. Not to mention, even if you don’t give the letters to your spouse, they can be therapeutic to get your feelings into writing.
Speak to each other constructively
You have choice feelings about one another— what divorcee doesn’t? The key is to address those feelings in a respectful, constructive manner. Think of it this way: you’re a model for your children’s behavior. A great trait for every adult to have, is to express their concerns and opinion in a concise, and productive manner. Allow your children to see that, even in adverse conditions, you can perform with grace. By doing so, you address your feelings, and teach a life lesson at the same time.
No one said you have it easy
Divorcing, especially when you have children, is hard work. Learning to co-exist for your children is also pretty difficult. But the thing to remember is that it’s not impossible. To keep conflict concealed is to do your children a favor. We wish you luck in this difficult time, and offer our condolences for your divorce. Furthermore, we extend our services if you may need them.