Davido vs Sophia: Key things to know when opting for co-parenting

Award-winning artiste David Adeleke, Davido has indicated he may leave his first child, Imade, in the custody of her mother, Sophia Momodu as they battle in court.

This comes after Momodu filed a counter-affidavit alleging that Davido is unfit to raise their daughter, citing concerns about his lifestyle and the tragic death of his son, Ifeanyi, in 2022.

In her affidavit, Momodu claimed Davido’s home is an unsafe environment for a young girl due to his controversial lifestyle and frequent travels. She argued that the presence of unsavoury adults around him would negatively influence their daughter and highlighted his estrangement from Imade, emphasizing the need for stable, meaningful involvement in her life.

Davido responded on social media, saying, “Your constantly bringing up the death of my child at any point you can to just remind us of this tragedy that haunts us everyday of our lives.”

“Imade will grow up to see I fought for her. As for now, you can have her. P.S: she won’t be a child forever .. enjoy, Imade Aurora Adeleke ! Your father loves you!

“All I asked for was ‘joint custody’ but cus it’s Davido yall wanna act like yall can’t read! SMH I’m off this … yall be blessed and I pray this never happens to you.”

READ ALSO

Sharon Ooja: 10 things to note when marrying a divorcee

Grass to Grace Series (27): How Samuel Onyishi defied abject poverty to become top businessman

Ronaldo vs Messi: Who has missed more penalties?

Co-parenting, the collaborative effort by two separated or divorced parents to raise their child, has become an increasingly common arrangement. While it can be challenging, co-parenting, when executed thoughtfully, can provide children with stability and support from both parents.

Here are key things to consider when opting for co-parenting.

1. Communication is Crucial: Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful co-parenting. This involves regular discussions about the child’s education, health, and emotional well-being. Utilizing communication tools such as shared calendars, messaging apps, or co-parenting platforms can help streamline this process.

2. Establish a Consistent Routine: Children thrive on routine and consistency, especially during the transition from a single to a dual-household arrangement. Establishing a consistent schedule for school, extracurricular activities, and visitation can help provide a sense of stability.

3. Create a Detailed Parenting Plan: A comprehensive parenting plan is an essential tool for co-parenting. This plan should outline custody arrangements, visitation schedules, holiday plans, decision-making protocols, and how to handle changes or disputes.

4. Prioritize the Child’s Well-being: The primary focus of co-parenting should always be the child’s well-being. Decisions should be made based on what is best for the child, not what is most convenient for the parents. It’s crucial to create a supportive and loving environment in both households. Parents should avoid involving the child in conflicts or using them as messengers.

5. Respect Boundaries and Maintain Flexibility: Respecting each other’s boundaries is vital in co-parenting. This means acknowledging each parent’s right to their own personal time and space while also being willing to compromise when necessary.

6. Utilize Professional Support: Co-parenting can be challenging, and seeking professional support can be beneficial. Therapists, mediators, and co-parenting counselors can provide guidance, mediate conflicts, and offer strategies to improve communication and cooperation.

7. Foster Independence and Confidence in the Child: Encouraging the child to adapt to the co-parenting arrangement is important for their development. Foster independence by involving the child in discussions about the schedule and encouraging them to express their feelings and preferences.

8. Manage Financial Responsibilities Transparently: Financial responsibilities should be clearly defined and managed transparently in a co-parenting arrangement. Parents need to agree on how expenses related to the child’s education, healthcare, and daily needs will be covered.