Picking your battles isn’t always easy, particularly when tensions are high, but keep in mind that these battles are costly. So, when is it appropriate to put your foot down and when is it better to let it roll off your back? Here’s our advice, take it or leave it (we suggest you take it).

Conversations with your co-parent aren’t easy when they’re acting a fool, but if Helen Keller found at least four different ways to communicate, so can you. Don’t worry, no one is asking you to hash parenting details out over brunch or a long phone call if the relationship isn’t amicable. In this day and age, there are a variety of ways to converse with your co-parent that are easy, practical, and judge-approved. Yes, it’s convenient to pick up the phone, but how often do your calls end in anger and/or tears? Any family law attorney will tell you that phone calls can go south fast, with no record of what was said. Even if you and your ex pass the vibe check, it’s still important to find out what form of communication works best in certain situations. Would an attorney recommend regularly texting your co-parent about the kids? How often should you touch base with a phone call? Here are five commonly used forms of communication (and how to effectively use them).

Getting through 2020 is like going on a trash safari in a busted Geo Tracker and hitting every pot hole along the way, but a tough year doesn’t excuse a rough relationship with your co-parent. There are a lot of things in 2020 that are out of your control (a worldwide pandemic, for example), but your relationship with your ex isn’t one of them.