In the journey of marriage, no one anticipates that they will face divorce. When children are involved, the decision to part ways becomes even more complex and emotionally taxing. When Lisa Morgan and Mark Taylor ended their marriage, they chose to uphold an important family tradition that highlights their commitment to their son, Ethan, and to one another as co-parents.
Lisa shared their family photos with Make A Mom, detailing, “The first two images were captured during our marriage, and the last two were taken approximately a year and over two years after our divorce was finalized.” Lisa made the decision to continue taking family portraits with Mark to demonstrate to Ethan that they remain a family, albeit in a different form.
“We may not be in love anymore, and we may have disagreements, but what we are is forever linked through our wonderful, intelligent, kind-hearted son. We hold respect for each other. We recognize that neither of our roles as parents is more significant than the other; both of us are equally vital in Ethan’s life,” Lisa explains.
Despite living in separate states now, Lisa describes the photos as a reflection of what it takes to successfully co-parent. “This visual representation encapsulates the collaboration necessary for effective co-parenting—consideration, kindness, flexibility, and teamwork, for example.”
From her own experience, Lisa acknowledges the effort required to maintain a harmonious co-parenting relationship. “People often tell me how fortunate I am to have such a positive relationship with my ex. I assure you, it’s not luck; it’s the result of hard work and dedication that allows us to refer to each other as friends. No matter the circumstances of a marriage, we are parents first.”
Lisa further emphasizes, “We BOTH must be present in Ethan’s life. We BOTH deserve to create cherished memories with him. Neither of us assigns blame for how our relationship unfolded, and we never voice any grievances in front of our son.”
For Lisa, family portraits embody the commitment to a healthy co-parenting dynamic. “We still invest in family photos, and I ensure they are printed and framed for Ethan’s room. Although he may not grow up with both parents under the same roof, he will witness respect, empathy, and perseverance modeled by both of us, proving that it is possible to drift apart without losing the family bond,” she concludes.
Divorce manifests differently for everyone, and the reasons behind it are as varied as the ways individuals navigate their separation. While some may not be ready to take pictures with an ex-partner, prioritizing the well-being of children should always come first. As Lisa wisely notes, “Kids might not always heed your words, but they observe your actions, and that can make a world of difference.”
In the end, this divorced couple teaches a profound lesson on the importance of family, respect, and co-parenting.
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Summary
Lisa Morgan and Mark Taylor, despite their divorce, continue to take annual family photos to show their son, Ethan, that they remain a family. They emphasize the importance of respect and co-parenting, demonstrating that even after a marriage ends, the bond of family can endure through mutual care and teamwork.