The allocation of parental responsibilities can be one of the tougher parts of your divorce. Decisions must be made that are in the best interests of your child, regardless of how you or your ex feel about it. Old grievances and feelings toward your ex must be set aside in order to work together for the good of your child. The following scenario could apply to virtually any issue that divides parents and makes co-parenting difficult.
You and your ex share custody of your seven-year-old daughter. Two years after the divorce, the two of you have been mostly successful at putting aside your differences when it comes to parenting. Recently, your daughter has put on a significant amount of weight. She is self-conscious about the weight gain, has stopped her normal outside activities, and is having constant colds, flu, and stomach issues. Your daughter has told you that when she is with her dad, they eat nothing but fast food and that the house is full of chips and chocolate.