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Cooperative co-parenting gives your children continued stability in order to maintain relationships both parents and family members. If you remain calm, stay consistent, and work on conflict resolution, it is possible to maintain a cordial working relationship with your co parent for the benefit of your children.

It is essential that your children understand that they are more important than the conflicts between you and your co parent. Co-parenting is not about your feelings and hurt, but rather about your child's happiness, stability, and future well-being. Take care of yourself. Depending on your circumstances, your own emotional and physical energy may be low. Find ways to take care of yourself so you can fully care for your children. Your goal is to establish conflict-free communication, so whether talking via email, phone, or in person, the following may help you initiate and maintain effective communication:

Your goal is to establish conflict-free communication to better parallel parent, so whether talking via email, phone, or in person, the following may help you initiate and maintain effective communication:

• Use business-like tone. Approach the relationship with your co parent as a business partnership where your "business" is your children and their well-being. Use respect, neutrality and a cordial tone.
• Ask, not demand. Approach your parent with a request or “would or will” rather than a demand of "I am".
• Communicate. Listen, even you do not agree with your co parent. Listening does not signify approval; it shows respect to your co parent. Be slow and thoughtful when you speak.
• Commit to succeed. Listen, communicate and use respect. Keep the conversation business-like and focused on your children. Keep your feelings out of the conversation.

Set the foundation for a positive co-parenting relationship:

• Make it clear that you value your child's time with you and with your co parent.
• Work out a fair and practical time sharing schedule as soon as possible.
• Make a serious effort to live up to the terms of the time sharing agreement.
• Tell your co parent in advance about necessary changes in plans.
• Prepare your child in a positive way for each upcoming stay with your co parent.
• Do not conduct custody, visitation, or support discussions when you meet to transfer your child.
• Listen to your child concerning problems regarding your co parent, but encourage your child to communicate with the co parent directly.
• Work on your problems with your co parent in private.
• Try to be reasonably flexible in "trading off" to accommodate each other's needs.
• Do not use your child as a confidant, messenger, bill collector, or spy.

Take care of yourself. Depending on your circumstances, your own emotional and physical energy may be low. Find ways to take care of yourself so you can fully care for your children.