Co-parenting

The joint effort of separated parents to raise their child(ren) cooperatively. Ideally, parents who do not live together will work together and communicate with each other regarding what is best for their child(ren). Statistically speaking, the children of parents who do so are often better positioned than those who do not in that they generally have greater emotionally stability, a stronger sense of security, better behavioral outcomes, higher self-esteem, healthy relationship skills, and improved academic and social performance. However, it can sometimes be difficult, or even impossible, for parents to co-parent together. In cases of significant abuse, it might be inappropriate to do so at all.