While working through a divorce may make you feel stressed once in a while, dealing with an ex-spouse who continually causes fights can overwhelm you.
Learning about how to properly deal with a high-conflict ex-spouse can help you and your children.
Expect disagreements
According to Psychology Today, preparing for issues before meeting or talking with your ex-spouse can put you in the right frame of mind to help the conversation go smoothly. Learning to walk away from a discussion when your ex-spouse shows signs of aggression or frustration can also help you both to control your behavior.
One way to prepare is to practice deep breathing exercises that can help you relax. Finding a third party to stand near you both can allow for a less tense situation if you both dislike talking alone.
Use technology wisely
While it is easier than ever to send a message on your phone, make sure to not overshare your thoughts or emotions with an angry ex-spouse. If you have important information to discuss, it may help you to send it in a written format, like an email or text message.
Not only can you edit what you want to say and make sure it sounds polite and calm, but you can also avoid a risky in-person conversation about important questions.
Stay calm during exchanges
Dropping off or picking up a child may potentially trigger a fight between co-parents. Approaching these times with a sense of caution and focusing only on the children can help you both to get along.
Make sure to not show up late or come too early. Dealing with conflicts with ex-spouses can seem tiring at first, but it does not have to be stressful.
