Maintaining a Relationship With Both Sides of the Family

Maintaining a Relationship With Both Sides of the FamilyThere is nothing more important and comforting than family. This is a feeling that almost anyone can relate to. After a divorce or separation, these feelings may begin to fade. Co-parents and divorced couples often have troubles maintaining a relationship with both sides of the family. A divorce can spark a lot of tension and conflict between family members. No matter what your feelings are towards the other side of the family you must remember to keep the best interest of your child in mind.

Deciding whether or not to pursue a close relationship

There is no definite answer to the question of whether or not you should try to maintain a relationship with both sides of the family. In order to make a decision for yourself, you must take a look at your own situation as a whole and consider all of the benefits versus the disadvantages. It is also more important to think of the situation from the view of your child. Does your child have a strong relationship with their grandma, grandpa, aunt, or uncle from the other side of the family? How would your child react if these relationships were hindered in any way? If you have determined that it would be in the best interest of your child to maintain and grow these relationships then you must also determine whether or not if you are capable of maintaining these relationships yourself. Many times maintaining a relationship with both sides of the family can become very complicated. There are always leftover tensions from the divorce coming from both sides of the family, which can put a lot of pressure on you. You must somehow determine for yourself if these complications will make maintaining these relationships too difficult, or if you will be able to handle it.

Sometimes the issue of maintaining a relationship with both sides of the family will be out of your control. Some families do not have very strong bonds with one another or they just don’t want to put in the effort to maintain these relationships. If you are forcing you and your child to form a relationship with the other side of the family it may not bring the same benefits that you would hope to see.

Tips for maintaining a relationship with both sides of the family

If you and your co-parent find that maintaining these relationships is very important to your child and the both of you measures should be taken regularly to keep these relationships strong and healthy.

  1. Be sure to keep regular contact with you co-parent’s family. Make sure to give them a call or communicate somehow on holidays and birthdays.
  2. Be sure to keep the conversation about your co-parent to a minimum when talking to your co-parent’s family, even if you have positive things to say about your co-parent.
  3. Make sure you include your co-parent’s family on special days. This mostly pertains to special days for your child such as birthdays and school events. You may also choose to include them in your own special event such as your birthday.
  4. Try to keep things positive when talking to your co-parent’s family. This will help you to maintain a healthy relationship with them.

Communication is key to maintaining a relationship with both sides of the family. This can be a very difficult and daunting task at times but maintaining these relationships is very important for the benefit of your child.