EPISODE 066 | Peacefully Coparenting After Divorce Part 2: A Dad's Perspective
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This episode is part 2 of a 2-part series where we explore Aly and Ed Rosenberger’s, what I think is, a coparenting anomaly, because they do it so well. So, if you haven’t listened to part 1 yet, check out episode 65.
Today in part 2, Ed explains from his perspective how he and his ex wife and her significant other work together as a team to coparent and why it’s so important that they do.
Much like Aly’s side of the story, Ed says communication is one of the main ingredients for success. Respect and consistency across homes is also a priority for this coparenting trio.
We really dive deep into how Ed supports their son as a father and how he nurtures and protects their son’s ability to grow, whether in sports, school, or with his relationship with his soon to be step father. We talk about everything from the initial transition of the divorce to setting ground rules for discipline and how Ed’s friendship with Ryan, Aly’s fiance, has grown.
Ed gets really personal and talks about what he expects from a future partner of his own and what he envisions for the future of this group’s peaceful coparenting relationship.
Note: When we recorded part 1, Ed was deployed. Several months passed between Aly’s and Ed’s interviews - we waited for Ed to be home before we recorded. So if you notice any discrepancies in details, such as their living arrangements, for example, it’s due to the passage of time.
Also, near the end of the interview, our internet connection got spotty, so the sound goes in and out for a few seconds. This discussion is too good not to share though, so please hang in there with us.
Highlights
Getting to know Ed
Being in transition after a deployment from Iraq - how Ed is finding himself
Ed’s overall happiness
How Ed initially felt about not having a formal parenting plan and how and why his feelings have evolved into comfort
What Alex, Ed and Aly’s biological son, is like
What it’s like for Ed being Alex’s dad
What Ed’s previous marriage was like and why it ended, including multiple deployments in a lengthy military career
How deployments impact Ed’s relationship with Alex
Talking to Alex about Ed’s career
How Ed helped Alex transition through divorce
Ed’s take on Alex having another father figure in his life and the importance of getting along for Alex especially due to the length and frequency of Ed’s deployments
Advice for keeping a coparenting relationships with significant others and non-biological parents in a healthy equilibrium
boundary setting
finding and balancing everyone’s roles
discussions on what to accomplish with discipline and ground rules
What happens when Ed starts to date seriously again and how she will fit into the picture
How Alex has evolved in his relationship with his future step dad
How Ed supports Alex through his relationship with his future step dad
The importance of communication
Nurturing Alex’s ability to continue to grow - minimizing the trauma
About Ed
Ed Rosenberger has a military career in the U.S. special forces. He grew up in Athens, Pennsylvania, a small rural town - he describes it as having more cows than people. He sees his most important job as a parent and prioritizing his son. Right now, Ed is getting to know himself again after divorce, and has a positive outlook for the future. He enjoys hunting and Jiu-Jitsu.
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