When people decide to end their relationship, it is not usually a decision that they take lightly. Often, former spouses appreciate the clean break that a divorce can offer. For people who have children together, a co-parenting relationship will need to be maintained after the separation.

Hard feelings that stem from the split can make it hard to work together. If your ex is being uncooperative, you should try to focus on making the situation as good as possible so the children don't suffer.

Avoid overreacting

At times, your ex may provoke an argument with the sole purpose of getting an equivalent reaction from you. For the most part, issues aren't worth fighting over if they don't have a negative impact on the child's health or safety. Keep your child's best interests at the center of focus and ensure that your co-parent is fulfilling their legal obligations. 

Compromise when possible

Sometimes, effective communication methods can prevent or put an end to a conflict. While this won't work with an unreasonable co-parent, it might be possible if your ex really wants what's best for the children. Try to remain calm and talk through issues if possible. Pick and choose what you're willing to battle over so you don't waste your time or energy on pointless matters.

Ultimately, you have to ensure that you're following the parenting plan set for the children. This should be set up as soon as possible after you split up from the other parent. The points in the plan should reflect the best interests of the children, which could mean that you need creative solutions. Work with someone who's familiar with cases like yours so you can draw from their knowledge. This might alleviate some of the stress associated with divorce.