Step 4: Co-Parenting & Boundaries
Sharing parenting responsibilities with someone you’re no longer partnered with can be one of the most complex parts of single parenthood. Whether your relationship is civil, strained, or somewhere in between, clear communication and boundaries can make a big difference — for your children and for your own wellbeing.
🤝 Healthy Co-Parenting Tips
- Keep the focus on your child. When in doubt, ask: “What’s best for them?” Not “What’s easiest for me?”
- Document everything. Use a shared calendar or parenting app to track exchanges, school events, and agreements.
- Don’t use your child as a messenger. Keep communication direct, respectful, and adult-to-adult — even when it’s hard.
- Establish boundaries early. What’s okay to talk about, what’s not? When and how will you communicate?
- Choose your battles. Not every disagreement is worth escalating. Prioritize peace where you can.
📱 Tools That Can Help
- Our Family Wizard – Secure, court-approved co-parenting communication app.
- Talking Parents – Keeps records of all communication for accountability and safety.
- Cozi – Shared family calendar and organizer that’s free and easy to use.
🧭 When Boundaries Are Needed
If your co-parent relationship is difficult, toxic, or unpredictable, boundaries become essential — not optional. It’s okay to:
- Limit communication to written forms only
- Request drop-offs in neutral public places
- Decline personal conversations unrelated to your child
You deserve to co-parent in a way that protects your peace.
📘 Helpful Reading
- How to Set Boundaries with a Toxic Co-Parent – Parents Inc
- 7 Steps for Successful Co-Parenting – Onward
- Co-Parenting After Divorcing A Narcissist – Isabella Francis
- Effective Co-Parenting or Parallel Parenting with a Narcissist – Claire Brown
- The Parallel Parenting Solution – Carl Knickerbocker JD
*This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I truly find useful.*