When parents separate or divorce, their overwhelming concern is how they will maintain a sense of normalcy for their children without continually ending up in conflict with each other. Some parents are able to collaborate and co-parent quite effectively but for others, it just results in further stress. For these people, parallel parenting can be a solution.
What is parallel parenting?
Unlike collaborative co-parenting which sees separated or divorced parents working closely together to raise their children while living apart, parallel parenting aims to reduce contact between the parents as much as possible, trusting each other to parent their child independently during their contact periods and not interfering in each others’ day-to-day routines and decisions.
How does parallel parenting work?
Parallel parenting requires both parents to focus on the child’s wellbeing rather than their own preferences and expectations. In order for parallel parenting to be effective, it is vital that a clear set of boundaries is established, in writing. This may be in the form of a parenting plan that details the child’s routine and rules, ensuring consistency between homes.
Some family law firms such as www.forsters.co.uk/ recommend limiting direct contact between parents and instead using an intermediary where necessary in order to resolve disagreements without falling into previous bad habits and disputes.
When parallel parenting is appropriate.
Parallel parenting is best suited to parents who struggle to communicate without conflict. If you think parallel parenting would be the right solution for your family, talk to a trusted London law firm today to find out more.