| When the decision has been reached to get a divorce | | | | involved and will go some way to lessening the |
| and you have children together, the next most | | | | challenges divorce can bring while also helping to |
| important thing is to decide upon a plan for | | | | protect the relationship parents will enjoy with their |
| co-parenting. While certainly it's true that divorce | | | | children over the long term. |
| signifies the final end to the marriage, it should not also | | | | Most couples who are divorced with shared children |
| signify the end of a family. It's widely accepted that | | | | will want to remain part of their children's lives. It takes |
| parents who decide to divorce or separate but | | | | maturity to put ones differences aside for the sake of |
| continue to cooperate as far as the parenting of the | | | | the good of the children but ultimately it does make a |
| children are concerned, often create the best transition | | | | massive difference. Both parents must make a |
| and adjustment period for their children. | | | | conscious decision to put their kids first and honour |
| The term co-parenting is used to describe a situation | | | | their responsibilities, make sure any plan you agree |
| where a divorced couple work in tandem to keep a | | | | upon together is crystal clear, very practical and |
| polite relationship between them and are consistent in | | | | realistic for both parties to honour over the long term. |
| their efforts to share the parenting responsibility for | | | | The last thing anyone will want is to put the children |
| any children. It's often a win - win situation for all | | | | through any more disappointments or let downs. |