Divorce continues to be a fact of life for many American families. But it doesn’t have to be the end of the world for the kids.

Of course it’s terrible when mom and dad can no longer live happily together in the same house. However, experts say that children can survive as long as their parents remain respectful to each other and behave in a civilized fashion.

More moms and dads are making the effort to co-parent and support their kids even though they’re no longer married to each other. According to this recent story originally published in The Arizona Republic, a growing number of couples are seeking ways to part amicably for the sake of their kids.

Reporter Karina Bland noted that they’re doing this by opting to go through mediation or collaboration – without having to step foot in court and also by trying their best to stay on respectful terms as they undergo the painful process of divorce. Then, after they’ve established their own lives and households, they continue fostering a partnership for the benefit of their children.

“This new kind of divorced mom and dad might attend parent-teacher conferences together, work jointly to get one kid to Little League and the other to piano lessons — even if it's not technically their visitation day — and share calendars electronically so Dad can arrange to take the kids when mom's out of town on business,” she wrote.

Earlier this year, I interviewed Diane Hornbogen, a psychotherapist who specializes in marriage and family issues at St. Joseph Family Center in Spokane. She also facilitates a class called “Parenting Children of Divorce.”

“The divorce doesn’t end the relationship,” she stressed. “They are co-parents for life.”

For those of you who are divorced with children: Is there really such a thing as a friendly divorce? What’s your relationship like with you ex-spouse? What can divorced parents do to reduce conflict and ensure that they create a supportive atmosphere for their children?

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