Co-parenting tips to avoid tension after a divorce

The divorce process is often full of twists, turns and a variety of challenges. Once it's finally in the past, you want nothing more than to move on with your life.

If you have children with your ex-spouse, there's a good chance you'll find yourself co-parenting for many years to come. As scary as it may be at first, the right approach can help you avoid tension.

Here are five tips you can follow:

1) Put your children first: If you and your ex agree that your children should always come first, it's much easier to make mutual decisions that will benefit them.

2) Pick your battles wisely: There's no way to completely avoid disagreements with your ex-spouse, but there are steps you can take to minimize the impact. For example, don't let every minor disagreement turn into a major argument.

3) Keep an open mind regarding schedules: There will be times when your ex needs to change their schedule. The same holds true for you. If your ex requests a different day for visitation, for example, see if you can make it work from your end.

4) Continue to communicate: Many co-parenting issues can be avoided through proper communication. From day one, you must find a communication method that works for both of you. Thanks to access to advanced technology, such as email and text messaging, this shouldn't be difficult to do.

5) Don't put your children in the middle: When you put your children in the middle of your differences, such as by telling them that your ex is the reason for your divorce, it will increase tension across the board.

Also, make sure you fully understand your parenting agreement and visitation schedule. You agreed to the terms and conditions during your divorce, so it's critical to follow them as closely as possible.

Moving Forward After Divorce

Your post-divorce life will be nothing like it was in the past. It's up to you to do your part in providing your children with a stable life.

If your ex-spouse is making it difficult to maintain a healthy relationship with your children, review your parenting plan and consider speaking with them about your concerns. If that doesn't work, learn more about your legal rights for seeking a modification to your parenting plan.