As any Michigan parent can attest, they want what is best for their children. Thus, when parents can no longer remain together in a marriage or relationship, it can bring the needs and best interests of the child to the forefront. Thus, when determining a child custody arrangement that works best for the parents, it is vital to explore ways to make the arrangement the most beneficial for the children involved.
Parents in general want to use a positive parenting model, as it is one that can help promote desirable child development. This model is still possible even when parents divorce or end their romantic relationship with one another. A positive co-parenting model is described as one that creates a positive environment that facilitates a child’s psychological growth.
In a current study, there are four empirical findings when it comes to having a functional or positive co-parenting relationship and the benefits it has on a child’s psychological health. First, a positive co-parenting relationship can help develop a child’s sense of conscience and their ability to make moral decisions. Next, this type of co-parenting has been linked to children developing an easygoing temperament.
Because high conflict co-parenting is linked to higher levels of child misbehaviors and developmental disabilities, the third finding is that positive co-parenting can help reduce these behaviors and disabilities. The final finding, which was the most surprising, is that it is able to promote the child’s likelihood to repeat this type of parenting model when and if they become a parent.
Co-parenting with an ex may not be the easiest transition to make; however, it is possible to function in a similar parenting relationship whether parents are together or not. When it is possible for parents to work together and focus on the needs and best interests of the children, this can be very beneficial when developing and agreeing to a child custody arrangement.
