As a parent, you may look at all your obligations and what you perceive as a lack of help that you have historically gotten from your co-parent and assume that you’d be better off raising your child independently.
While the prospect of not having to fathom being let down by another person or having to pass decisions by someone may seem appealing, would that be an ideal situation for your child?
Co-parenting is best
Child psychologists believe that instances in which both parents are involved in raising their child are best for their development for some of the following reasons:
- To aid their child in establishing a belief system: Whether we’re talking about religion, spirituality or a sense of morality or ethical values, a parent can lay the foundation for a child’s belief system by introducing them to their own. This exposure can shape your child’s worldview as they age.
- Providing for your child: Your child can’t secure a job while still in preschool or elementary school. They instead count on you to provide for their basic needs. There’s a direct correlation between how your child is raised and the opportunities they may have later in life.
- You are your child’s role model and guardian: Your child looks up to you and is likely to mimic some of your behaviors. They’re also likely to run to you when the world mistreats them. It’s your job to teach them how to navigate life and overcome adversity that they’ll undoubtedly face at various points in their life. It’s ideal for them to have more than one person who has their back.
- Skills development: Your child is best able to achieve their full potential when given the attention and toolset to be able to do so. A child can’t have too many guides or cheerleaders, especially if it’s coming from a place of unconditional love, such as from their parents.
In virtually every jurisdiction in the United States, judges base their decisions about custody on what would be in the child’s best interest. Showing that you can effectively co-parent and that you’re fully dedicated to your child’s needs is one step in the right direction in convincing a judge that they should award you custody.