Child custody matters can be very contentious, partly because both parents have ideas about what they want for their children and what they don’t. When those ideas don’t align, disagreements can occur.
If you’re facing a disagreement with your ex about your children, it may be necessary to find ways to keep the conversations calm and productive. This is especially important when the children are around. Consider these tips if you need to avoid contentious conversations with your ex.
Use written communication
Written communication gives you the opportunity to review the matter and the messages so you can determine the most appropriate reply. You can write out the reply and wait a bit before sending it so you have a chance to re-read it to ensure it says exactly what you mean.
Focus solely on the children
In some cases, the tension in these discussions comes from situations other than the children. Your communication with your ex should always focus on the children and never anything else, including the issues that led to the end of your relationship with your ex.
Remain calm, even if your ex isn’t
You can’t control how your ex behaves in these situations. You can only control your own behavior. Keep your replies on the topic related to the children and don’t respond to anything outside of that.
One way you may be able to minimize the disagreements is to have a clear and comprehensive parenting plan. Getting this together can sometimes be challenging, so it may benefit you to work with someone who’s familiar with situations like yours.