COVID-19 has impacted the lives of everyone; we have all had to adjust quickly as no one saw it coming, and we were not fully prepared for its effects. Under normal circumstances, co-parenting can be difficult. When families are in crisis, rules, expectations, and agreements can become strained by the emotional and environmental factors created by the crisis. Fathers Incorporated, through its Gentle Warriors Academy, has developed a Tip Sheet you can share with your audiences, as well as developed online webinars available for co-parents to help them to successfully co-parent during a crisis.
Given the importance of successful co-parenting—parents’ alliance, cooperation, and level of interdependence–for family and child wellbeing, Fathers Incorporated suggests the following strategies and tips for effective co-parenting during a crisis:
- LISTEN OBJECTIVELY
- COMMUNICATE WITH EMPATHY
- BE COMPASSIONATE
- COMPLY WITH CUSTODY AGREEMENTS AND COURT ORDERS
- WORK TOGETHER
If you’re experiencing conflict with the other parent:
- FACE THE MUSIC
- ADMIT TO LACK OF COMMUNICATION
- DON’T TRIANGULATE
The three-part series of workshops through the Gentle Warriors Academy is designed to help parents, particularly dads, navigate co-parenting during this COVID-19 health crisis. This information is created to equip, inform, and inspire dads to reach their full potential as parents.
Part I addresses Effective Co-Parenting Communication During a Crisis and will help both dads and moms understand the variables that could be contributing to their inability to find common ground as parents.
Part II is all about Effective Decision Making in Co-Parenting. One decision can be the difference between your parenting success or failure, especially when dad and mom are not on the best of terms. The most effective parenting and marital relationships rely on the ability to make sound and logical decisions together.
And finally, Part III is the strategy to implement a Plan to Win In Co-Parenting. Everybody wants to win, certainly for the sake of our children. The critical challenge is how do we all win? Mutual understanding of parenting goals provides the best scenario for healthy and desirable family outcomes.
Also download our co-parenting e-book FINDING COMMON GROUND: Communication Tips for Cooperative Coparenting by Kenneth Braswell and Stacey Bouchet, Ph.D.
For more information on the Academy, please visit www.gentlewarriorsacademy.com
About Fathers Incorporated
Established in 2004, Fathers Incorporated (FI) works collaboratively with organizations around the country to identify and advocate for social and legislative changes that lead to healthy father involvement with children, regardless of the father’s marital or economic status or geographic location. For more information, please visit www.fathersincorporated.com.
