From Taylor Swift to Bianca Censari: Ye’s longstanding controversy
Ye, formerly of Kanye West, is no stranger to controversy, from interrupting Taylor Swift’s MTV speech to high-profile relationships.
Kim Kardashian says co-parenting with ex-husband Ye, also known as ex-Kanye West, is “not easy.”
On the Oct. 15 episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast, the SKIMS founder revealed to podcast host Alex Cooper that it was the first time in months that Kardashian and her children had heard from a music mogul.
Kardashian, 44, said: “I welcome a great, healthy relationship with my children and their father. I always want that, but I will protect my children when I need to. And it comes in waves and stages and is hard work.”
Kardashian said her children live with their mother full-time, but the reality star allows them to visit West, 48, anywhere “around the world.”
The data shows that the Kardashians are not alone. The number of children living alone with their mothers has doubled over the past 50 years, according to U.S. Census data. Some TikTok users commented on the podcast clip, saying they could relate to Kardashian and her ex’s co-parenting relationship.
“Co-parenting is truly a universal struggle. No matter your money, location, or background, it can be so hard!!” one user commented on a clip from the episode.
As these family relationships become more common, what are the secrets to successful co-parenting? Psychotherapist and author of The Co-Parenting Handbook Karen Bohnell says emotional maturity, healthy boundaries, skillful communication and child-centered parenting are key.
It’s “no small job,” she previously told USA TODAY. But children ultimately benefit from their parents’ work.
How to make co-parenting successful
Co-parenting exists on a continuum and occurs when two people share one child, Bonnell said. The first step in laying the foundation for a successful co-parenting relationship is to develop a thoughtful parenting plan.
It also requires emotional maturity. “The ability to grieve the loss of an intimate partnership and abandon the dreams surrounding being part of the original family, allowing the future to be whole and healthy,” she says.
The majority of parents want what’s best for their children and simply need information, support and skills to help them co-parent, Bornell said. However, some ex-lovers can be toxic and prolong conflicts that affect children.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much parents can do to change their ex-partner’s behavior unless they cross the line of violence or other misconduct that can be dealt with by the legal system.
But the good thing about co-parenting, Vaughn says, is that you don’t necessarily need a supportive ex-partner to make it work.
“Successful co-parenting doesn’t actually require both parents to work together,” she says. “One parent can engage in healthy and successful co-parenting, regardless of the child’s other parent’s interest or willingness to participate.”
As long as both parents care for their children, listen to them, and provide warmth, structure, and healthy boundaries, they can successfully co-parent regardless of how the other parent reacts.
“It doesn’t matter if you co-parent or not,” she says. “The question is how well can you co-parent.”
Adriana Rodriguez can be reached at adrodriguez@usatoday.com.
