When co-parenting isn’t possible, parallel parenting offers a healthy alternative that minimizes conflict while allowing both parents to remain involved in their children’s lives.
In parallel parenting:
- Parents disengage from each other but stay actively engaged with the child.
- Communication is limited and strictly focused on essential information, often through written means such as email or parenting apps.
- Each parent makes decisions independently during their parenting time, within agreed-upon boundaries.
- Direct contact is minimized to reduce tension and avoid confrontations.
This structure reduces the need for emotional interaction between parents, allowing each to focus on their relationship with the child rather than the conflict with their ex.
Parallel parenting is especially useful in cases where:
- Communication between parents frequently leads to arguments or manipulation.
- There is a history of emotional or verbal abuse.
- One or both parents are unwilling or unable to cooperate consistently.
By minimizing contact and setting clear boundaries, parallel parenting shields the child from conflict and provides a more peaceful, stable environment.
