Family fights during the holidays, wedding divisions, and graduations ending in disasters. Co-parenting is important at every age and era of your children’s lives. No matter how old your children are, conflicts and arguments between parents affect children at every age. Just because your children reach the age of 18 does not mean you should allow your co-parent relationship to fall apart.
Adult Children Experience Challenging Events and Emotional Growth at all Ages- Needing the Support of Both Parents
Every child grows up, moves out, goes to college, or even becomes parents themselves. However, your role as their parents never changes. Children exhibit some of the most life-changing events in their twenties and thirties and need the support of both parents.
Navigating young adulthood can be some of the most challenging times, and ensuring that both Parents can work together to communicate and support your child is essential to their growth and well-being. There are rising rates of depression and anxiety during young adulthood. Getting accustomed to life beyond college and the family home can be difficult to navigate and can be especially overwhelming for some adult children.
Your children need you and your ex as a safe haven when facing any mental health challenges or changes in their lives. If you and your ex bring fire and conflict during any interaction with one another, you become less reliable at times when your child feels compromised and vulnerable. It is imperative that your children remain the focus for both you and your ex, even after your children have reached the maturing age of 18. They need you always, and turmoil and conflict between parents continue to impact children, even when they are grown.
Weddings, Babies, Graduations, and Big Events Bring People Together
So many life changes occur after the age of 18 that both parents should be present, supportive, and be able to experience all the joy that encompasses these events. Graduations from college, weddings, and babies all bring the family together. These experiences will be more fulfilling and enjoyable if you and your ex can co-parent and function amicably, allowing your children and any other parties involved to be able to enjoy the real purpose of the gathering, whatever that may be. Be the reason you bring people together and not the reason people choose to be apart.
Children Carry the Burden of Balance Between Parents
Whether intentional or not, children are the ones who must carry the burden and stress when parents cannot function well as co-parents. It often comes with anxiety, frustration, and overall concern because children want both their parents in their lives, and children deserve to have both parents present in their lives at every stage. It often becomes harder for children to cope with poor co-parenting once they reach adult age. Failure to co-parent can cause divisions in relationships and harm the people you are closest with.
Co-parenting starts and ends with the three C’s: Communication, Care, and Cooperation.
It is always worth it to set aside past issues and emotions to refocus on your children. Working well with your ex-significant other can ultimately be easier than creating conflict with them. It is our advice to follow the three C’s- Good Communication, Care for one another and your children, and Cooperation- when interacting with a parent, even after your children have reached the age of 18.