It is especially important to avoid criticizing the other parent in the presence of your child. Research finds that children internalize such negative criticism. In divorced families where parents disparage one another, children are found to experience more feelings of depression, loss, and abandonment. The divorce affects them more painfully. 

It is so damaging that the divorce courts include non-disparagement clauses in child custody orders. Not only do they not want parents to speak ill of one another; they want family and friends to avoid doing so around the children.

Make it a priority to encourage your child to have a good relationship with both parents. You’ve divorced (or are in the process of divorcing) your child’s parent, but your child has not divorced that parent. Even when their parents are no longer together, children benefit from the love and support of both parents. 

While no court can force you and your ex-spouse to work together, the more you and your spouse strive for mutual cooperation, the better your children will weather the divorce, both now and in the years to come.