Successful Co-Parenting: What Are the Benefits?

Shared parenting, in which parents work together to raise their children even when they are separated, is gaining attention. In this style, the emphasis is on children growing up with good relationships with both parents, even if they live separately. In this issue, we will first introduce a successful example of co-parenting in Japan, followed by some of the benefits of co-parenting as revealed in a Swedish study. Let’s take a look at the world of co-parenting.

A mother’s struggle after her 6-year-old daughter was taken from her.

Mizuki is a mother of one child who was forcibly deprived of her daughter and was unable to see her. She says that her husband locked her in the car and forced her to sign divorce papers while they were struggling with divorce issues. However, she vowed that she would not let it end like this, and embarked on the long road of mediation in order to be reunited with her daughter. Mediation in Japan is a procedure in which family court and experts mediate and resolve family issues through discussion.

After gradually increasing contact with her daughter through mediation and various other means, Mizuki told her one day. In other countries, children live in two homes. While casually appealing to her fashionable international sensibilities, Mizuki also introduced the concept of joint child-rearing. In other words, even if the parents are separated, the children can grow up while traveling back and forth between both homes.

She also told her daughter, “Mom and Dad had a fight, but the truth is you decide who you live with. We just want to help your decision”. She showed her daughter that she had a choice and that her parents were only there to support her. These words eventually led to a turnaround in the situation.

Achieved Joint child care finally, after three years of mediation.

After three years of mediation, when the daughter was in the second grade of elementary school, she was placed in joint foster care, moving back and forth between her father’s and mother’s homes every week. Thus, the daughter began a new life enjoying a “two-home life. The significance of co-parenting is that a child can grow up feeling the love of both parents, even after the parents divorce.

Of course, the road to this point was not easy. The ex-husband was reluctant at first, but with the support of the court and lawyers, the parents eventually came to cooperate with each other. This example shows us the importance of putting the child’s happiness first, even if the parents live separately.

What are the advantages?

One of the benefits of co-parenting is that children can grow up safe and secure while maintaining a bond with both parents. Even if the parents separate, regular time spent with both parents maintains the parent-child bond, making it easier for the child to feel less lonely. In addition, seeing both parents cooperate with each other helps the child to feel that he or she is cared for, which in turn helps to stabilize the child’s mind. Thus, co-parenting is an approach that builds a new relationship between parent and child and provides a better environment for the child to grow up.

Studies have shown that children who grow up in a co-parenting environment are more emotionally stable than children who live with only one parent. In addition, there are positive effects on academic and social skills, as children are more likely to concentrate on their studies when they have the support of both parents. Seeing their parents cooperate with each other also nurtures their ability to cooperate and build good relationships with friends. This is truly the key to nurturing the “super kids” of the future.

Research study conducted in Sweden

A Swedish national study published in 2013 found that children raised in co-parenting families have better mental health than children who live with only one parent. This is a way for children to have a significant positive impact on their development even when their parents are divorced. It keeps parents and children together and improves their academic and social skills. As Mizuki’s case shows, when parents cooperate and children receive love from both parents, it leads to overall family happiness. The study results are below.

Source: Nationwide survey conducted in Sweden ( from BMC) https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2458-13-868

Research Shows Benefits of Co-Parenting

According to a national classroom survey of approximately 160,000 children ages 12 and 15, children raised in shared custody showed better results in mental and physical health, family relationships, and friendships than children living with only one parent.

In particular, 15-year-olds report wellbeing (physical and mental health and well-being) comparable to that of children in nuclear families on nearly all health indicators, underscoring the positive impact of joint custody.

Toward Co-Parenting to Support the Future

As the Swedish study shows, cooperation between parents in supporting the healthy development of their children is key to mitigating the effects of divorce. If this type of joint child-rearing is expanded in Japan, it will help create an environment in which children can grow up with peace of mind. It is hoped that society as a whole will come to better understand and support joint foster care in the future.