Addiction recovery is the perfect time to reestablish parental harmony.
Substance use disorder is a disease that affects families including spouses and children within a household. Although divorce and separation are difficult, couples understand that their focus must shift to providing stability for their children. While family dynamics in addiction recovery may shift and change, with time and hard work, everyone can heal together.
Supporting your children while in recovery is a necessary and worthwhile endeavor for all involved. They should not face the lingering consequences of parental addiction. Understanding how to navigate co-parenting in recovery may be tricky, but it can work with compassion and strategic planning.
You can learn How to Navigate Co-Parenting in Recovery
Overcoming addiction and moving forward in recovery is a monumental life change and something to be proud of. It takes a lot of perseverance and determination to reach the phase where you are back to being a parent. For perspective, some people lose access to their children throughout their addiction experience. This is just one of the many painful consequences of untreated substance use disorder.
Raising kids in recovery is a hard-earned achievement for parents who have experienced divorce and other hardships due to addiction. Although you have the many tools you gained through substance use counseling, there is more to learn. Parenting in addiction recovery entails a bit of a learning curve.
Take your time and approach co-parenting after addiction with positive and productive goals in mind. Some substance-free parenting strategies include:
- Join support groups for parents in recovery: There are many recovery groups for single and divorced parents. People share their experiences and advise those struggling to cope with their situations.
- Enroll in parental counseling: Having your kids to yourself without another adult can initially seem overwhelming. Speaking with a parenting counselor can help prepare you for the days you have your kids full-time.
- Establish your role as a parent: Children seek certain things from each parent. Although you want to build a balance between both parties, your kids may turn to you for specific things. Recognize and build on that special relationship.
- Create a healthy environment: When your kids are with you at home, you want them to feel like they belong. Work to create a space where they feel like they belong and can thrive.
There are so many things you will learn as you begin co-parenting with an ex in recovery. Your greatest assets will be preparation and research to make things work for everyone.
How to Navigate Co-Parenting in Recovery with Ease
Healthy parenting after substance use is attainable for those in recovery. It can be an enriching journey for you as a parent and your children. However, you will want to keep some factors in mind.
Here are some of our favorite recovery-friendly co-parenting tips:
- Continue to show dedication. Remain committed to the recovery process and self-improvement. It will help with rebuilding trust with children after addiction.
- Define the terms on paper. Legal considerations for co-parenting in recovery are essential to success. Designated people should be involved to aid drop-offs and communication, if necessary.
- Communicate clearly. Communication in co-parenting recovery is a crucial component in making your kids happy. Without misunderstandings, there will be fewer disagreements and abrupt changes.
- See this as a business partnership. Once a marriage ends, feelings may be complicated. Still, parents should maintain a cordial relationship and work together to do what is best for the kids.
- Attend counseling together. Emotional support for kids in recovery is essential to make this work. Consider therapy with children who witnessed substance use around the age of 8 and older. This can help children speak freely in a safe space with productive advice from a trained professional.
- Children are not pawns. They should not be used as messengers or emotional outlets for issues between parents. They deserve a space to heal and grow without being burdened by adult problems. Carrying their parents’ issues can severely affect them as they grow into adults.
- Maintain self–care. Managing parenting stress in recovery will ensure your children do not experience unnecessary negativity. Be sure to take care of yourself when you have time away from them and parental obligations.
- Stick to the plan. Holidays and special events can be stressful, so stick to the agreement unless reasonable extraneous circumstances occur. If things go wrong, allow for flexibility without inflaming the situation.
- Create boundaries.Healthy boundaries in co-parenting are essential. Children are strongly affected by their surroundings. Keep things civil and light when interacting without exposing them to a combative situation. Do not bad mouth or complain about your former spouse in front of the children.
- Discuss the rules. Do not allow co-parenting to become a “good cop, bad cop” scenario. This can strain the natural relationship between parent and child and cause further trauma.
- Stay consistent. Depending on the age of the children, keep bedtimes consistent and general house rules the same. Discipline and scheduling should be as complementary as possible to maintain balance.
- Speak respectfully. Think about tone when interacting. Requests sound better as ideas or questions rather than demands. These conversations are done best in private or through text or phone calls.
Co-parenting challenges in recovery are inevitable, but they do not have to be barriers. With the right mindset and preparation, you can tackle these obstacles without negatively impacting your kids. The mutual unconditional love you share for your children will help resolve difficult circumstances addiction once posed to the relationship.
Addiction Recovery with Health Care Recovery Centers
Co-parenting can be successful for people in recovery and for people whose ex-spouse is in recovery. HCRC has helped many people regain their ability to parent their kids and maintain family relationships. It is not too late to reach out for help.
HCRC offers medication-assisted treatment to individuals living with substance use disorder. Our outpatient treatment centers are conveniently located and accommodate busy schedules. If you want to take the first step towards recovery today, contact us to learn more about our treatment programs.sful for people in recovery and for people whose ex-spouse is in recovery. With a mutual unconditional love for the children that are a result of the bond that once existed, parents can overcome the challenging circumstances addiction once posed to the relationship.
