Putting Children First: Creating Positive Co-Parenting plans in 2026

Parenting after divorce or separation can be testing and overwhelming, a healthy and effective co-parenting relationship takes work from both parents. It is important to remain child focused and not allow personal feelings to cloud your co-parenting relationship. A few points to keep in mind are; 

Put your child’s needs first

The first step is to always put your child’s needs first, and this should be at the forefront of your mind when making decisions. 

Positive language

Use positive language when speaking to your child about the other parent and encourage friends and family to do the same. It is important not to encourage your child to speak negatively about the other parent or family members. 

Careful and clear correspondence

Messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and email can be useful tools where relationships are already strained, but it is good to be conscious of wording as misinterpretations can occur which can lead to unnecessary and unintentional acrimony. Communication should be kept open and respectful. 

Sharing information

It is beneficial to share information about your child with the other parent, so everybody remains ‘in the loop’. 

Plan for flexibility

Consistency is important, but it is also helpful to be flexible as and when you can. There may be times when you require flexibility from the other parent, and it works both ways. This can be helpful when it comes to birthdays and special occasions. 

Have a Parenting Plan in place 

A Parenting Plan can be a useful tool, as it supports a proactive co-parenting approach. A Parenting Plan can cover a range of practical issues and provide a good base to work from and refer to if required. A Parenting Plan can be put together in mediation, where a mediator acts as a neutral third party and can guide conversations about the arrangements for your child in a constructive way. 

If you would like to discuss mediation with a view to putting a parenting plan in place, please contact me at mrai@se-solicitors.co.uk or my Paralegal, Chloe Judge, at cjudge@se-solicitors.co.uk.