Sometimes, communication becomes a big problem following a divorce despite the fact that you still need to be in touch because of sharing children together. You and your ex-spouse may not want to talk to each other, but it’s important for you to be able to communicate.
It’s not reasonable to speak to your ex by using your child as a messenger or to keep calling or trying to get in touch with no response. So, what can you do? How can you improve your communication?
- Set up appropriate times to call
The first thing to do is to think about setting up a communication calendar. You and your ex can sit down and work out times when both of you will be available to take calls, such as between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. on weeknights, for example. Agree to communicate during set periods of time.
Then, if you see a call come through at a time that isn’t during that period, you could assume that it’s either an emergency or the other person violating your agreement. You can make a decision on how to move forward based on that situation’s factors.
- Consider mediation
Working in therapy or mediation with your ex-spouse might seem like it would be fruitless, but it can be helpful in assisting you both learn how to communicate better. You may have bad feelings or be avoiding speaking with each other, but you can learn to be civil and respectful of each other and each other’s time.
- Ask the court for help
If your ex really won’t communicate with you, then you may want to turn to the court for help. It’s dangerous to be unable to communicate with your ex over your custody-related issues, so that is something that you should address with a judge if necessary.
These are three things you can do after your divorce to improve your communication. If you’re having trouble, remember that there are legal options to make sure communications with your ex stay civil. There are also steps you can take to make it easier to talk to each other and stay in touch when you have to discuss custody-related issues.