Positive attitudes can make almost any situation less stressful, and co-parenting is no exception. When you can remain positive during your interactions with your ex, you are already making an effort to give your children the best life possible.
Keeping things positive isn’t always easy, but you can increase the chance of being able to if you take control of your thoughts. A big reason why people start to think negatively is that it is sometimes the easy way out. It is much easier to complain about a problem than it is to find a solution.
Make self-care a priority
You have to take care of yourself if you are going to have any hope of being able to take care of your children. You need to eat healthy foods and get enough sleep. Stay hydrated and exercise regularly. Try to find activities that you enjoy and that can help you to re-center after a rough day. People who don’t care for themselves properly are more likely to feel poorly, which can lead to negative thinking.
Focus on the good things in life
Once you notice something wrong, you can choose to dwell on it or you can opt to find a way to fix the situation. Instead of continuing to think about the negatives you encounter, find positive aspects; every adverse situation has blessings if willing to reframe your perspective. It helps some people to make a gratitude list of things they are thankful for. Not only does this give them a list to review when they need it, they can also keep track of how many ways they are improving their own life.
Protect your mental health
Communication with your ex might be a challenge. You need to be able to protect your mental health during these interactions. They should always remain respectful and stay focused on the children. When you veer into other areas of your life or your ex’s, things may turn contentious. Unless it directly impacts your children, leave it alone.
When you are going through the child custody determination process, be sure that all potentially contentious points are put into the parenting plan. This gives you a firm arrangement to follow when problematic situations occur. Always set the agreement up with the current needs of the children in mind. You can always modify it as their needs change.