Strengthen Your Co-Parenting with Parenting Counseling

Raising a child with an ex can be overwhelming. Parenting counseling helps you create healthy boundaries and reduce conflict.

What Is Parenting Counseling?

Parenting counseling is therapy focused on helping you become a better parent.
It gives you tools to communicate, stay calm, and focus on your child’s needs.
Most importantly, it helps you co-parent without constant stress or fights.

Treat Co-Parenting Like a Business

Using a business-like approach removes emotion from decision-making.
Instead, focus on facts and logistics—not old wounds.

• Stay diplomatic. Support healthy family relationships on both sides.

• Be dependable. Do what you say you’ll do.

• Make improvements. Talk about what’s working and adjust what isn’t.

With parenting counseling, you can learn to set this tone consistently.

Create a Detailed Parenting Plan

Consistency helps your child feel safe.
A clear parenting plan outlines who does what and when.

• Schedule where the child sleeps and who picks them up.

• Include school, sports, and special events.

• Rebalance the workload if one parent does too much.

Parenting counseling helps you make these plans fair and realistic.

Set House Rules You Both Follow

Children need consistency across both homes.
Therefore, agree on a few basic rules together:

• Same bedtime every night

• Homework before screen time

• A set curfew

• Limits on electronics

These shared rules ease your child’s transition between homes.

Keep Communication Clear and Direct

Never use your child as a go-between.
It confuses them and adds emotional pressure.

Instead, choose a clear method to talk—email, text, or shared apps.
Only respond during agreed-upon hours unless it’s urgent.

Let Your Child Stay Connected

Your child should talk to both parents freely.
Do not shame or punish them for calling the other parent.

Encourage healthy, open communication.
Casually leave the room if needed, but remain supportive.

Respect Each Other’s Private Lives

Eventually, you will both move on.
So, avoid sharing personal details with your co-parent.

If they find out something, stay calm and factual.
Above all, never blame your child for sharing.

Handle High-Conflict Exes with Strong Boundaries

Some exes are toxic or narcissistic.
If they fight constantly, set firm limits.

• Only communicate through email or a court-approved app

• Avoid face-to-face exchanges when possible

• Use a trusted third party for drop-offs

Parenting counseling can help you handle these challenges without escalating conflict.

When You Need Extra Help

Sometimes, things get too hard to manage alone.
That’s when parenting counseling becomes essential.

A skilled counselor helps you stay focused and calm.
They can also check in on your child’s mental health if needed.

Need Additional Help?

Are you struggling to co-parent without constant stress?
Do you want to become a better parent and reduce conflict?

Call Family Strategies today and book a parenting counseling appointment.
Let us help you build a plan that works for your child—and for you.

We proudly serve the Chicagoland area. Our therapists support children, couples, and families through difficult times.

📞 Call (708) 798-5433
📧 Email: info@Family-Strategy.com

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