Shared parenting is where parents share the care and responsibilities for their children as equally as possible. This should happen in all families, but it often becomes an issue when the parents separate and start living apart.

Shared parenting takes a flexible, child-centred approach where the child’s welfare and wellbeing are central to parenting. There is increasing evidence that it can provide a healthy and supportive environment to bring up children after separation. See the International Council on Shared Parenting knowhow section for a roundup of myths and truth about shared parenting.

“New Ways For Families” programme coaches separating parents in simple conflict resolution skills to avoid high conflict hell for their children. When their relationship breaks down and parents decide to separate, their own feelings of

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