1. Parents R 4-Ever Session 3 Cooperative Co-Parenting

2. n Perfect Pals n Cooperative Colleagues n Angry Associates n Fiery Foes n Dissolved Duos Relationships Between Parents

3. 1.Children benefit from having a positive and supportive relationship with both parents. 2.Cooperative parenting reduces the levels of stress that echo throughout the entire family.. 3.The absence of communication between parents or the presence of conflicting communication hurts the child placing him or her in the middle. Benefits Of Cooperative Co-Parenting

4. Typical Sources of Conflict Money Religious/values education Holidays Visitation Discipline Medical Issues Education and/or career Recreation (sports, hobbies)

5. Handling Conflict ACKNOWLEDGE: Acknowledge conflict to each other SET A TIME: Both must set a time to discuss the matter DESCRIBE YOUR POSITION: Each person should speak for themselves; describe conflict from your side. STATE OTHER PERSON POSITION: Each person in turn describes the other person's position and feelings.

6. Handling Conflict LIST OPTIONS: After all have agreed that they understand the other, list all options for solutions. MAKE REVISIONS: Revise both lists and find something to agree to try. DO THE SOLUTION: Both need to try the solution. Agree on time to discuss later.

7. Effective Communication àBeing open honest, yet kind. àListening carefully, without distraction. àChecking the meaning of messages which are not clear. àAvoiding 'mind reading'. àWalking a mile in the other person's shoes.

8. Effective Communication àTrusting one another. àAvoiding criticizing, evaluating, and acting superior. àDealing with one issue at a time. àDealing with specifics rather than generalities. àAttacking the problem, not each other. àHaving an understanding attitude.

9. Guidelines to Quality Shared Time àBeing Consistent àGoing Between Households àRebuilding Trust àSharing And Participating in Activities àSolving Problems

10. Summary As the family makes the transition to a "divorced family," the amount of change will be significant. Since a certain amount of stress is unavoidable, parents need to work quickly to reorganize routines and practices in order to provide continuity, security, and stability for children. A healthy divorced family is one in which boundaries are clearly separated between spousal (non-parental) roles and parental roles. By working with each other as "co-parents" divorced parents can provide what their children need with as little added distress as possible.

11. We have discussed what types of co-parenting relationships parents have, what causes conflicts and some techniques to deal with it, also effective communication skills to help parents make good decisions for their children. We discussed and identified issues for share parenting........ now its your turn to think about what you as a co-parent need to do to help make the separation or divorce healthier for your child and your family.

12. QUESTIONS?