| Shared parenting is an arrangement after separation | | | | both physical and emotional between the child and the |
| or divorce wherein both parents should continue to | | | | "absent" parent. |
| have a strong positive presence in their children's lives. | | | | Here are some pointers to make shared parenting |
| Shared parenting calls for the child or children spending | | | | work: |
| equal or significant amounts of time with each parent. | | | | * Parents should maintain a civil behavior towards |
| Shared parenting arrangements may differ to suit | | | | each other and never argue in front of their children. |
| various situations. Time between each parent may be | | | | * During exchanges, the children must be available at |
| split fifty-fifty or the child may live with one parent for | | | | the pickup time agreed upon and returned on the time |
| four days every week and the rest of the week with | | | | and day agreed upon. |
| another parent. | | | | * Do not use your children to spy on your ex-husband |
| After a breakdown of a family, shared parenting is a | | | | or wife. |
| preferred alternative to asking the children to choose | | | | * Discuss your children's concerns and other parenting |
| between their parents who they want to live with. | | | | issues together. For instance, you should agree on how |
| Many children also prefer shared parenting rather than | | | | to discipline them because you cannot discipline them in |
| the traditional arrangements in these cases where one | | | | opposite ways or that would be very confusing. Make |
| parent often loses contact with the children and | | | | sure not to discuss these issues in front of your kids. |
| becomes an occasional visitor. With shared parenting, | | | | * It is also important that children maintain their |
| the children still has the chance to have a meaningful | | | | relationship with close relatives from each side of the |
| relationship with each of their parents. | | | | parent such as grandparents, aunts or uncles or |
| Indeed, there are many benefits to shared parenting. It | | | | cousins. |
| allows children to have both parents present in their | | | | Studies show that children of divorced couples who |
| lives and although the children have to switch between | | | | retain meaningful relationships with each parent are the |
| two homes, shared parenting reassures them that | | | | ones who find it easier to deal with the breakup of |
| both parents care for them. This arrangement is more | | | | their parents. Research also shows shared parenting is |
| beneficial to children than when they live with only one | | | | possible despite intense conflict between parents if the |
| parent because often the latter creates a distance | | | | parents focus on what is best for their children. |