Co-parenting support
Co-parenting with someone who has been abusive isn't the same as regular co-parenting. Parallel parenting, where you keep direct contact minimal and communicate through documented channels, is often safer.
What to know first
- 'Co-parenting' assumes two cooperative people. If that's not safe, 'parallel parenting' means you each parent independently with minimal direct contact.
- Keep all communication about your children in writing. It creates a record and cuts down on conflict or manipulation.
- Apps like OurFamilyWizard and TalkingParents log every message and can't be edited after the fact. Courts recognize these records.
- Supervised access centres give you a safe, neutral spot for custody exchanges or visits. You don't need to see or speak to the other parent.
- Canada's Divorce Act requires courts to consider family violence in all parenting orders. Document everything, it matters.
- A parenting coordinator can help settle disputes without going back to court every time.