Establishing Healthy Communication Between Divorced Parents

Reviewed and approved by Kathryn Wayne-Spindler

Divorce can be challenging for everyone involved, especially when children are in the picture. One of the most essential things divorced parents can do is establish healthy communication habits. Effective communication can help ensure that both parents are on the same page regarding co-parenting, leading to better outcomes for the children. Here are some tips for establishing healthy communication between divorced parents.

Maintain a Professional Tone

Keeping a professional tone when communicating with your ex-spouse can help ensure that conversations remain productive and avoid devolving into arguments or emotional outbursts. Avoid using inflammatory language or tone that can trigger negative emotions. Try to be clear and concise in your communication and avoid giving in to the dynamics of your voice.

Use Technology to Facilitate Communication

Various technology tools are available today that can help facilitate communication between divorced parents. Platforms like OurFamilyWizard provide a central location for parents to share schedules, important documents, and messages. This can help ensure that both parents are informed about their children’s needs and can help avoid misunderstandings.

Be Respectful of Your Ex-Spouse’s Time

One of the most common sources of conflict between divorced parents is scheduling. It’s essential to respect your ex-spouse’s time and to communicate early and often about changes in the schedule. Try to be as flexible as possible regarding scheduling, but also be clear about your needs and limitations.

Listen to Your Ex-Spouse

Effective communication is a two-way street, so listening to your ex-spouse’s concerns and needs is important. Try to put yourself in their shoes and see things from their perspective. This can help build trust and understanding between both parties.

Set Boundaries

Finally, it’s important to set boundaries when communicating with your ex-spouse. This can mean establishing specific times or channels for communication or agreeing on off-limits topics. Setting clear boundaries can help ensure that communication remains productive and avoids triggering negative emotions.

Effective communication is essential when it comes to co-parenting after divorce. By maintaining a professional tone, using technology to facilitate communication, respecting each other’s time, listening to each other, and setting boundaries, divorced parents can establish healthy communication habits that lead to better outcomes for their children.