Malaika Arora opens up about ‘challenges’ of co-parenting with ex-husband Arbaaz Khan: ‘Arhaan baccha thodi hai…he is 22’

Taking a cue from Malaika’s admission, we asked an expert on the best ways to find a balance when co-parenting after divorce.

Here’s what to consider (Photo: Freepik)

Divorce is not just the end of a marriage; it is the shattering of a dream, said Delnna Rrajesh, psychotherapist, energy healer, and life coach.

“The couple carries shame, guilt, and loss. Children carry confusion, loyalty conflicts, and the fear of abandonment. Many women I work with confess, ‘I left the marriage, but I still feel broken inside’.”

Healing after divorce requires more than legal closure — it requires emotional closure. “Forgiving oneself, understanding patterns, and reclaiming self-worth. For children, healing comes when they are reassured that divorce does not mean a broken family, but a restructured one,” said Delnna.

When parents, children, and couples learn to face these wounds instead of suppressing them, transformation begins.

Families don’t heal by pretending everything is fine. Delnna expressed that they heal when silence is replaced with truth, blame with responsibility, and fear with love. “And sometimes, it takes seeking help through therapy, healing, or simply opening space for honest conversations, to break the cycle and build families that are not perfect, but whole,” said Delnna.

The 3 anchors of healing families

Co-parenting with boundaries, not battles

Children should never be made messengers or spies. “Parents must create neutral, respectful communication channels – ideally over email or co-parenting apps to reduce emotional volatility. The home should feel like a safe zone, not a courtroom,” said Delnna.

Healing conversations, not silence

Children need the truth, but an age-appropriate truth. “Silence breeds insecurity, while oversharing forces them into roles they are not ready for. The healthiest approach is transparency with tenderness, like ‘This is between us as adults. You are loved, safe, and not responsible,” shared Delnna.

Extended families: The silent influencers

Grandparents, aunts, uncles – they can either be a pillar of stability or an amplifier of conflict. “Parents must set clear boundaries with extended families: no negative talk about either parent in front of the child. Protecting the child’s image of both parents is critical for their sense of security,” said Delnna.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to.