Divorced parents may find it difficult to work together to protect their children from teen violence. However, joint custody cooperation, even in difficult child custody situations, creates a stable environment for children that minimizes the potential for violence because it focuses on the best interests of the child.

Teen violence often involves teens hurting other teens. It can take many forms, including bullying, gang-related violence, dating violence, threats, and physical harm. Teen violence impacts thousands of teenagers every day in the United States.

The impact of teen violence can be severe. It can have long-term effects on a teenager’s mental, physical, and social health. Preventing teen violence requires an understanding of the problem. It also requires parents to address the factors that could put their children at risk.

Tips for Co-Parenting and Joint Child Custody Cooperation

Working together to co-parent is never easy after a divorce. However, the priority should be the well-being of your children. Therefore, divorced parents should find a way to engage in joint custody cooperation to give their children the stability and security they need to discuss problems they face, including teen violence.

Here are some tips for co-parenting and joint custody cooperation:

Set the Hurt and Anger Aside

You must separate your personal relationship with your ex from your role as a parent. Your focus should be on the well-being of your children. You may want to consider counseling if you need assistance in overcoming the negative feelings from your marriage and divorce.

Use Effective Communication While the Arrangements of Child Custody are Settled

Joint custody arrangements require parents to communicate effectively about their children. Parents should make joint decisions in the best interests of their children. The success of co-parenting depends on consistent, productive discussions.

Tips for effective communication include:

• Keep conversations focused on the children.
• Listen to your ex and then decide how to respond.
• Make requests instead of demands.
• Be willing to admit that your ex is right about certain matters.
• Do not overreact to what your ex says.
• Keep conversations professional and friendly.

Remember, you may need to apologize if you are wrong or lose your temper. You should also ask for your ex’s opinion and consider it.

Be a Team

Co-parenting requires you and your ex to work together. You should be consistent with all matters related to your children. For example, you and your ex need to agree on the rules for each household. While the rules do not need to be identical, they should be similar. The same applies to discipline, schedules, chores, homework, etc.

When making important decisions for your children, do so together. That includes medical needs, educational matters, and extracurricular activities. If you disagree with your ex, acknowledge their opinion and continue discussing it. Respect and flexibility can go a long way in resolving disputes.

Do Not Put Your Children in the Middle of a Child Custody Case

Your children should see you and your ex as a united team. Never involve your children in parenting decisions or issues. It is best to settle disagreements and discuss parenting decisions in private.

Be Positive

Do not badmouth your ex in front of your children. You need to make an effort to be positive about your ex. Your children will benefit and feel more secure if they see that you and your ex are able to get along. Saying positive things about your ex to your children shows them that even though you are divorced, you can acknowledge the valuable things your ex brings to the family.

Keep Your Ex Updated

You and your ex need to update each other about important matters related to your children. You may want to use a shared scheduling app to keep track of important dates and appointments. Messaging is a great way to let your ex know about things that involve your children, including funny and heartwarming things your child said or did when they were with you.

Parents Must Work Together During a Child Custody Situation to Prevent Teen Violence

You and your ex may want to discuss teen violence. Review the signs of teen violence and the ways to prevent teen violence. Work together to develop a plan for dealing with teen violence should it arise. Talk with your children about teen violence to let them know that they can come to either one of you if they need help.

Co-parenting may be challenging, but the benefits for your children are worth the effort.