Co-parenting isn’t always easy and it becomes even more difficult when there is a lack of communication. When the kids are at one parent’s, what is the proper etiquette regarding phone calls from the other parent? While this may seem like it has a rather cut-and-dried answer, there can be some problems if the lines of communication – and not just the phone lines – aren’t left open.
If your children go to visit the other parent, do you phone and speak to them? Do you run into problems because your ex won’t let you talk to them? This is a more common problem than you might imagine. Your children may want to speak to you as much as you want to speak with them, but if you continue to call without getting anywhere, you could be making matters worse.
Your ex could see that constant phone calls from you upset your children. This will make your ex upset and will make your ex less likely to let you talk to your children when you call. Instead of continuing to call and call, it is better to stop and talk to your ex. Find out when a good time is for you to call and talk to your children. Maybe it is just before they go to bed for the night. Perhaps it is first thing in the morning. Your children will be better prepared to talk to you if they know when to expect your call.
Co-parenting issues can often be resolved through communication and not through a return trip to the courtroom. There are some problems, though, that will require a change to the child custody or visitation arrangement, such as when one parents moves out of state. It is best to address these issues as soon as possible with a Colorado divorce attorney instead of simply ignoring them.
Source: bostonherald.com, “Exes make wrong call about time with child” Jann Blackstone, May. 26, 2013