How can communication work after the divorce?

How can communication work after the divorce?If the parties can overcome the anger and frustration, and work for the children, then there are some good options.

1. Set up a second telephone line (or a second ringer) at the children's residence.
2. Set up email accounts for the children.
3. Use a small diary, with a lock, to send back and forth, as the child goes for visitations. The child may never see the inside of the diary, but messages about medicines, school activities, doctor appointments, baseball schedules, and other important messages can go back and forth.
4. Send birthday cards. Mark your calendar. Keep a copy of the card.
5. Send Valentine's Day cards. Mark your calendar. Keep a copy of the card.
6. Send Christmas cards. Keep a copy of the card.
7. Train yourself to call the other party ahead of all visitation periods, and to call at the slightest hint that there may be a delay or a problem. Common courtisies not only help ease tensions, but also may help prevent going back to court.
8. Call the children's school counselors, get to know them, find out what is going on with the children at school.
9. Never say anything that you do not want repeated on open court for the Judge. You are not doing this to win arguments with someone that may not be very likeable, you are doing this for a small child who needs you. Your child does not need bitterness, your child needs the better nature of your angels.
10. Use the 2 hour weekly visitation with your children to grab some pizza and find out how they are doing.This will take some work, will take dealing with someone who may not be very likeable, and you may take more than your share of guff. You are doing this for children you need you and love you. The more communication, the faster your wounds will heal, and the better for your children.

George Conner
web page: www.georgeconnerlaw.com
email: connerlaw@yahoo.com