The recent announcement of Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya’s divorce from wife Natasa Stankovic grabbed headlines. The pair issued a joint statement earlier this month, which stated: “After four years of dating, Natasa and I have chosen to peacefully separate ways. We feel that this is best for us both because we gave it our all and tried our hardest together. We had a lot of joy, respect for one another, and companionship as a family, therefore this was a difficult choice for us to make.

Shortly after the announcement Stankovic went to Serbia, her native country, with their son Agastya. What attracted the attention of Internet users was how Pandya responded to some pictures that Stankovic had shared with the two of them having a good time in a museum. The cricketer replied beneath the post using the heart-eyed emoji followed by an evil eye. Two minutes later, he typed the word ‘support’ followed by a red badge with the text ‘love’ at the bottom.

This publicity of amicable relationship has brought to focus the delicate issue of separating with a partner and sharing responsibilities, especially of the children.

It’s often said that things after separation or divorce can be emotionally demanding; however, often, the changed couples manage to overcome all these obstacles with due respect. The interaction that Pandya and Stankovic present as separated parents demonstrates the focus on the child as well as the ability to cooperate between the two parties.

It is very  important of locating and cultivating a friendly relationship with an ex- partner . According to Rhea Joseph, consultant psychiatric social worker, and family therapist at Cadabams Hospitals, it is quite possible to remain friends with your former spouse after the separation, especially if there are children involved.

She states, “taboo free talking is the foundation to any healthy relationship and this includes post marital one, both as parents to the child It is recommended that former couples should agree to meet and discuss issues concerning their child or children, education or other issues relating to sharing of parenting time Since break ups are painful, both physically and emotionally there should be agreed communication referring points, the history of break ups should not be an ingredient for post marital communication.



You should now try to be good co-parents, advises Joseph. From this we mean that when you the parents of the child are having different problems, you need to take a break and focus on catering for the needs of your child by offering him or her a stable and loving home. Stand as one for the sake of your child.

There should be some cordiality in meeting each other but one should also bear in mind that they have new life, new virtue, new persona, new identity, etc. Do not interact often or interfere in each other’s lives more than is necessary. “Setting guidelines on how leaders and subordinates can communicate and interrelate is crucial,” Joseph says.