New Year’s Resolutions for Parents and Co-Parents

Ready for 2023? Okay, me neither, but it’s fast approaching and everyone is going to be in the gym or at the salad bar for the first two or three weeks for their resolutions. We wish you the best if you’re making that commitment and know you can do it, but we want to talk about New Year’s Resolutions you can’t afford to give up on after you fall off the treadmill once or realize kale has the texture of a book cover.

Parenting is a year-round journey, and improving your child’s circumstances should always be a priority. If you’re a co-parent, your custody battle wasn’t the conclusion of the conversation surrounding your rights as a custodial or noncustodial parent – if your circumstances improve notably or get significantly worse you may end up back to the drawing board on custody and visitation schedules. 

So, let’s get the year started on the right foot!

Take Care of Yourself

Okay, this might sound like an airplane oxygen mask instructional video but truly: take care of yourself before worrying about those around you. You won’t be the best parent you can be if you’re not the best person you can be. Consider making time for yourself for whatever self-care looks like for you.

For every moment you take for your kid you should consider taking one for yourself. Parenting is often about making sacrifices and just pushing through headaches, but it doesn’t have to be a nightmare.

Accept That You’re Never Going to Change Your Ex

You have your reasons for why your marriage didn’t work out. If you’re in a co-parenting situation with a difficult ex it’s probably time to realize they’re not going to change for you. Hell, if they didn’t change for you during your marriage why would they change for you today? (Maybe they’re even stuck in their narcissistic ways)

You don’t owe them your time or energy anymore. They don’t control you and it’s okay to look out for yourself. The court gave you your responsibilities as a co-parent. It’s important to fulfill those responsibilities and leave your ex in the dust in your own way. The better you and your circumstances are for your child the more likely you are to earn favor with the courts.

Be More Open With Communication

Look, everybody could use a little honesty now and then. We’re not talking about telling your spouse you need to leave the dinner table because lunch isn’t sitting well, but making 2023 a year where you’re open and honest about your wants and needs could make your marriage or co-parenting situation that much better.

For co-parents, if you can’t communicate with your ex without getting into a fight then maybe keep the communication short and sweet always. If you’re able to reopen that line of communication maybe this is the year you break through and create an amicable co-parenting relationship.

No relationship is perfect. If you’re a married couple you know that even if you don’t want to admit it. If you’re a divorced couple there’s a legal piece of paper that proves your relationship wasn’t perfect. I get it, and I want to be a part of bridging the gaps in your relationship so your children are put in a position to succeed in their formative years. Whether you need a mediator to help you work out a difficult co-parenting situation or are ready to make 2023 the year you walk away from that toxic relationship, schedule a meeting with me and get started on your new journey.