How to Get Through Mother’s and Father’s Day With Your Ex With Co-Parenting

When it comes to Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, a day celebrating your ex-spouse is probably not your idea of a “good time.” Nevertheless, for parents who are co-parenting with their ex-spouse, it’s important to your children that you show recognition for the other parent.

There is a wide range of advantages to a child’s development when divorced parents are capable of getting along and are able to show they still care about each other’s wellbeing. By watching parents communicate and cooperate respectfully, children learn good social skills and social maturity.

Fortunately, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day does not have to be all about your ex. Use the day as an opportunity to do something with your child, together, for the other parent. To help you brainstorm, check out the three ideas below!

1. Get Crafty With The Kids

   Show you are interested in helping create something for the other parent by adding a drawing to the card, help with the glue or cut out shapes. Your child will remember your involvement. And, not only do you spend quality time together, but your child learns that people can still be considerate, even after a relationship ends. Bring out the crayons, paper, glue, scissors, and whatever else you can find around the house. A personal touch is always more meaningful. If you need some inspiration, take a look here.

2. Go Shopping

   Another less messy option is to take the kids shopping. Set a small budget, $5 to $20, for each kid to pick out something for their mom or dad. There is no need to visit the jewelry store. No matter where you live, there exists a multitude of very affordable stores with small trinkets that are well within any budget.

3. Think Outside the Parenting Schedule

   Sometimes it’s the simple act of respecting someone’s time that happens to be the best gift of all. If your ex-spouse’s special day falls on a weekend that they have to work, consider offering them extra time with the kids outside of the regular schedule. Think your ex-spouse might want a few hours to themselves? Offer to take the children while they get a pedicure or go fishing, for example.

The more that parents can work together, the better off your children will be in the future. In a perfect world, this would work for all divorced parents. For anyone attempting to give co-parenting a try, the above is a good place to start.