Children of separation and divorce benefit greatly when their parents are able to work together civilly. Children love to be told by their parents "We're going to co-parenting school so we can do a better job for you." The main element required is maturity; the ability to think about the child's needs as more important than staying angry or hurt with the other parent.
Parents who are separated or divorced frequently have difficulty in getting beyond the conflict that ended their relationship. Equally difficult can be reconfiguring the relationship, especially if they really never had one. There are several skills involved:
Understanding the businesslike quality of the co-parenting relationship
Knowing the developmental stages of their child/ren and how the children are likely to be affected
Learning self-management skills to reduce tension
Putting the past behind and focusing on present and future
Conflict management and negotiation skills
Strategies for increasing cooperation
Honoring the other parent and the other household, including differences
An experienced co-parenting coach or therapist, in a private and respectful setting, can be very effective in aiding parents to learn these skills. Mary Ann Aronsohn has been working with co-parents extensively since 1998, both in classroom and private settings. She loves to see the benefit to children when parents take on the challenge of increasing their co-parenting skills.
Ms. Aronsohn is listed on the LA Superior Court's website as a therapist as well as classroom teacher on co-parenting issues. She is frequently recommended by attorneys and judges. She has taught as a guest speaker in the PACT program (LA Superior Court's mandated co-parenting education course) since 1998.
