When a relationship ends, it’s often a deeply painful and emotional experience. If children are involved, it can feel even more challenging to navigate. Finding a way forward that prioritises the safety and needs of your children, supports your wellbeing and respects your former partner is not easy but there is support available.
Our Family and Relationship Services practitioners are here to help with compassionate guidance, tools and strategies to support you and your family through this time of change.
Centacare Family and Relationship Services Area Manager Matt Horsfall said co-parenting is a new kind of partnership. “It’s a partnership in which you are continuing to work with your former partner to raise your children. It’s not always easy, particularly if the separation was painful but it is possible to create a respectful, child-centred, co-parenting relationship, even though your personal relationship has ended.”
Reaching out for professional support can help. Our specialist practitioners can support you with individualised strategies, which may include:
Establishing a respectful relationship – Some parents find it helpful to think of their new relationship as a kind of business partnership with the shared “objective” being the wellbeing of their children. This mindset can help reduce emotional reactivity and allow for more constructive interactions.
Setting clear boundaries – Boundaries will be different for each family but can help co-parenting feel more manageable. Setting boundaries might mean agreeing on how and when you’ll communicate, keeping conversations limited to parenting matters and avoiding personal criticisms or bringing up past relationship issues.
Taking a child-centred approach – Children thrive when they feel safe, loved and supported by both parents. Putting your children’s needs ahead of any hurt or resentment you might feel toward your co-parent and protecting them from adult issues, supports them to have their own independent, loving relationship with each parent.
Communication is key – Clear, respectful communication with your co-parent can make a big difference in how your child experiences the separation. It’s not always easy—especially when emotions are high. If direct communication is difficult, tools like emails, communication booklets or co-parenting apps can help keep communication calm and constructive.
Seeking support for conflict – Disagreements are natural but ongoing conflict can be distressing for children, even when it’s subtle. Counselling or mediation support can help you and your co-parent manage tensions in healthier, more constructive ways, protecting your child’s wellbeing in the process.
Caring for your mental health – Separation can bring up strong emotions like anger, guilt or sadness. You might even feel the urge to blame or undermine your co-parent. These are normal reactions to hurt and change. Support from a counsellor can help you process these feelings and find healthier ways to cope.
Every family is different and there’s no perfect way to co-parent. If you’re finding co-parenting challenging or you are about to embark on your co-parenting journey, we can support you with:
As Matt Horsfall shares, “Even in the most challenging circumstances, co-parenting can become a space of growth and care where both parents work, in their own ways, to put their child’s wellbeing first. With support, it is possible to create a new kind of family rhythm rooted in safety, respect, healing and hope.”
If you’re ready to take the next step, our team is here to walk alongside you. You don’t have to navigate co-parenting alone.