How to manage conflicts with a former partner

Generally speaking, Louisiana law allows both parents to have custody or other rights to their children after a divorce or separation. Therefore, there is a chance that your former partner will be in your life long after your romantic relationship with that person ends. There is also a chance that disputes will occur when determining how to allocate parenting time with this person. Let’s look at some strategies that you may use to make it through a custody dispute.

Remember you can’t control how the other person behaves

It is important to understand that you can only control your own thoughts, feelings and behaviors. By taking note of past interactions with your former spouse or partner, you can take proactive steps to minimize or prevent a conflict from occurring. Reducing or avoiding conflicts will likely have a positive impact on your child’s mental health as well as your own.

Create clear and firm boundaries

It may be possible to minimize conflicts by limiting the amount of time that you spend talking to your child’s other parent. You may also want to limit the amount of time that you spend in close proximity to that person if he or she is likely to become physically or verbally abusive. In such a scenario, it may be a good idea to talk about child custody or other issues by email, phone or text message.

Create a support system

It is critical that you don’t mention any issues that you’re having with your child’s other parent to your child directly. Instead, it is best to talk with a therapist, a close friend or another adult who is willing to listen to your problems even if that person can’t do anything to change your situation.

If you need help resolving a child custody dispute, it may be worthwhile to hire a family law attorney. He or she may be able to help you obtain sole custody of a child or regain the right to visit your son or daughter on a regular basis.