Co-parenting: Meaning and Definition

Co-parenting defines the collaborative model between separated parents who share child-rearing with the child's well-being at the center.

Definition of Co-parenting

Co-parenting is the ability of two parents to collaborate and share the responsibility of raising and caring for their children, despite the end of their romantic relationship or cohabitation. It is based on mutual recognition of the parental role and the separation of couple conflicts from the needs of the child.

Co-parenting in Parental Practice

In the context of single and separated parents, effective co-parenting transforms a breakup into a new form of family organization. Unlike bilateral parenthood/glossary/bilateral-parenthood, which is a child's right, co-parenting is the practical tool through which this right is exercised. Good collaboration involves sharing decisions about health, education, and free time, maintaining consistent communication, and avoiding the child becoming a messenger between the parents.

Types of Collaboration

There are different nuances to this approach: - Cooperative Co-parenting: High communication and agreement on parenting rules. - Parallel Co-parenting: Parents minimize contact to avoid conflict but respect each other's time and role. - Conflictual Co-parenting: When hostility hinders child-rearing, jeopardizing the child's psychological balance.