What is co-parenting?
Co-parenting or being co-parents occurs when two people (or sometimes more than two) between whom there is no sentimental relationship decide to have a child and raise it together.
In other words, it is the possibility that I, as a woman or man, may decide to have a child with someone who is not my partner and share her upbringing with him.
Although at first it may sound like something unusual, it is something that has actually existed all our lives. For example, co-parenting occurs when two parents separate but continue to share custody of the children. Or when a boy or girl is raised by a single mother or father and one of her relatives (for example, uncles, grandparents, etc.), by a father or mother and her new partner, etc.
Advantages of co-parenting with a friend
- Increases the feeling that you are part of a group and the sense of purpose of being a parent.
- Interests in common in friendship can favor the upbringing of the boy or girl and carrying out activities together.
- The consolidated friendship will facilitate the process of adaptation to co-parenting.
Disadvantages of co-parenting with a friend
- If the friendship is corrupted, the boy or girl could be affected. Although it is not a relationship, an emotional bond is formed between the co-parents. For this reason, it is very important to correctly manage these links to offer the best possible stability to the child.
- In this situation, the co-parents will have the complexity of managing not only their personal friendship relationship but also the new relationship that both will have individually with the minor. It will be important to give each relationship its space.
Co-parenting with a friend has certain advantages, but also certain disadvantages. Therefore, for things to turn out as well as possible, the importance of the development and growth of the child must always be kept in mind.