Newswise — Ending a long-term romantic relationship is difficult and painful. Most people choose to refrain from seeing or communicating with a former partner after a breakup in order to heal and move forward. However, ending a romantic relationship when children are involved is infinitely more difficult. Once two people have children together, they enter into a lifelong relationship with one another. Although the romantic relationship ends, the co-parenting relationship remains.
“Former partners with children need to redefine their relationship,” explains Dr. Rowen. “In these instances, the relationship gets redefined as a business partnership, where the business is raising happy, healthy children.”
She adds, “Bringing the focus back to what is best for your children always helps parents make healthier short-term decisions. At the end of the day, both you and your co-parent just love your children and want what’s best for them.”
Dr. Rowen specializes in research and treatment of high levels of family negativity and interparental conflict, which adversely impact the co-parenting relationship, parent-child relationships, and child psychological well-being. She is committed to providing high quality, empirically-supported treatment to children, families, and couples. Learn more about Dr. Rowen on our website.
To speak to Dr. Rowen about the business of co-parenting, or to learn more about The Family Institute, please contact Cyndi Schu, Director of Public Relations, at cschu@family-institute or 312-609-5300, ext. 483.
ABOUT THE FAMILY INSTITUTE AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY – For over 45 years, The Family Institute at Northwestern University (www.family-institute.org) has been committed to strengthening and healing families and individuals from all walks of life through clinical service, education and research. An affiliate of Northwestern University, The Family Institute is a unique, innovative not-for-profit organization, governed by its own independent Board of Directors and responsible for its own funding. The Institute offers a wide range of high quality mental health counseling through our staff practice and our sliding-fee scale Bette D. Harris Family and Child Clinic, where we are committed to serving at-risk, under-resourced communities. The Family Institute also operates two nationally-renowned graduate programs in marriage and family therapy and counseling psychology in affiliation with Northwestern University, and conducts cutting-edge research projects that lead to a better understanding and treatment of mental health issues.
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