If you have a poor relationship with your ex-spouse, this is not uncommon. Naturally, it is likely that there was some form of strife in your marriage that triggered the divorce. However, if you have children with your ex-spouse it is likely that you will be working with him or her for many years to raise your children together.
Of course, you may have an acrimonious relationship with this person. Particularly if he or she is a narcissist or possesses a different personality disorder parenting in tandem can be very difficult to do. This is why many feuding families are choosing a parallel parenting plan, according to Healthline.
Explaining parallel parenting
In an ideal world, you would be able to co-parent easily with your ex-spouse with good levels of communication. For instance, divorced couples with children often are able to both be present at family events like birthday parties or soccer games. They may bring their new partners if they have any.
With parallel parenting, the parents are rarely in the same place and when they are it is not for a very long time. In a parallel parenting situation, the child may have two birthday parties: one with each parent.
Understanding the benefits
Even if you and your ex-spouse do not get along, it is likely that both of you want what is best for your children. Parallel parenting allows the children equal access to both parents while removing them from parental conflict.
In some situations, successful parallel parenting may lead to a more organic and relaxed co-parenting situation after time.
