Tips for Keeping the Peace During Divorce

1. Focus on the present and future; don’t rehash the past.
2. Try to separate your role as a parent from role of ex-partner.
3. Keep conversations focused and specific.
4. Never badmouth the other parent to your children.
5. Express concerns with “I” language, not “YOU” language.
6. Take advice from family and friends with many grains of salt.
7. Form a co-parenting partnership focused on what is best for your children.
8. Realize you can’t control everything that happens when your children are with the other parent; try to let go unless there is real danger.
9. Find a good friend or relative with whom you can vent before making an angry phone call or confrontation.
10. When you get frustrated, remember that things could be worse:  You could still be married to this person!