• Keep conflict separate from your child

  • These conversations should take place in private where your child cannot hear them (5). 

  • It is important to set aside your own emotions and focus on your child's (4). 

  • Research found that conflict between two co-parents significantly impacts the relationship between a child and their father. When conflict decreases early on in the divorce, children reported having a more stable relationship with their father (1).

  • Higher interparental conflict is related to higher aggression, anxiety, and depression in children (7). 

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• Communicate in a business-like manner

  • While talking to and about your co-parent use a business-like tone ​

  • This is an effective and respectful way to communicate​

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• Do NOT confide in your child about your feelings

  • Talk about your co-spouse with your friends or therapist ​

  • Take deep breathes and focus on being optimistic

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• Help your child maintain a positive relationship with your co-parent

  • Let your child pick them out a birthday present ​

  • Allow them to visit their co-parent 

  • Allow them to have a picture of their co-parent in their room

 

• Do NOT tell your child about characteristic you do not like about your co-parent 

  • A child might internalize this if they feel they share this characteristic. This can lead them to feel like you don't like a certain part of their personality.