Improving child health and safety while co-parenting

Co-parenting children is one type of custody arrangement that people use after a divorce. Both parents are fully involved in raising the children. The adults communicate frequently to ensure that the children have everything they need, but it’s possible that some points may slip through the cracks.

The goal of co-parenting is to allow the children to grow up in a supportive environment that’s filled with love. It’s up to the parents to ensure that the children remain as healthy and safe as possible while they’re going back and forth between homes.

Work with everyone caring for the children

Many children have daycare workers, babysitters, teachers and coaches who spend time with them on a regular basis. Part of making sure the kids are safe and healthy is remaining in contact with anyone who cares for them. You need to relay things like known allergies, but you also need to make it clear that you must be told about anything that’s amiss with the children.

Meet with each other about the children

Children’s needs change over time. You and your ex discussing what’s going on with the kids can help you to make joint decisions about anything that needs to be addressed. This is also a time to make notes about anything either parent is concerned about so both know what to watch for when they have the children.

It’s best to have all of the agreed-upon terms in the parenting plan. This takes the guesswork out of what should happen in specific situations. It also gives both parents something to review if they have questions. There are some instances in which a creative solution to child custody matters is necessary. Working with someone familiar with these cases is beneficial since you can draw on their knowledge.