Handbook for Parents 3
Co-parenting

1) Introduction

'Divorce', 'Separation', these are tough decisions made by the parents and often lead to significant changes in one's life. Whilst the parents are adjusting themselves to their new lives, their children will also have different emotion and behavioural reaction as a response to this change. Although you may be eager to move on and cut off any connections with one another, in the best interests of the children, both parents should work together and share responsibilities to contribute to the development of the children. They should work out the caring arrangement that is good to the children and manage their and the children's emotion. The efforts from both parents will cushion the negative impacts of this separation and also provide the children a stable environment to grow. In the hearts of the children, you will always be their parent forever, and your care and love would be a precious gift for the children.

In order to facilitate the separated/divorced parents to adjust to their new lives and to have a better understanding of the importance of parental responsibilities in raising their children, a series of 3 booklets is produced for parents' reference. Parents' handbook 3 highlights the importance of co-parenting, and provides separated/divorced parents with tips on how to formulate parenting plans for their children. It also has a dedicated session to parents who do not live with the children, to help them maintain and improve the relationship with their children.