Co-parenting describes a parenting relationship, where the parents are not in a marriage, living together, or in a romantic relationship with one another.
In the US, the term co-parenting is often used for two separated or divorced parents attempting to parent their shared children.
The principle of coparenting, is that a child always has the right to maintain a stable relationship with both parents, even if they are separated or divorced, unless there is a clear need to separate them from one for the interests of the child.
This right is based on the concept that to be a parent is a commitment that an adult takes with respect to his/her children, not to the other parent, so that it cannot and must not be influenced by separation or divorce or dispute among parents.
Obviously, in rare cases, such as an abusive parent, the interests and safety of the child override any co-parenting rights.
