Four-year-old Maelyn Player has a loving mom and dad – as well as a stepmom and stepdad. She’s just like the millions of other children in the United States who come from a so-called “broken” home.
Even though her parents are no longer together romantically, Maelyn still has a spectacular support system. This was captured in a photo that’s now going viral….
Facebook/Emilee Plaayer
Maelyn’s mother, Clara Cazeau, and her father, Ricky Player, split up years ago and have since remarried. Despite their once-strained relationship, both parents realized how important co-parenting is and decided to do their best for their little girl – even if that meant bringing their new spouses into the mix.
Clara told The Huffington Post that both she and her husband, and Ricky and his new wife are always around each other because it’s the right thing to do for Maelyn. They feel it’s good for her to have a cohesive family athmosphere.
“We do all birthdays together for Maelyn.
We also go to each other’s birthday dinners with their own families, we do holidays together, we go to one another’s houses, we are literally always doing things together.”
This idea of co-parenting was visible to everyone when Ricky’s wife Emilee posted a picture of the four parents at Maelyn’s soccer game.
Facebook/Clara Cazeau
Emilee told Huffington Post that this is how Maelyn’s soccer games always go – even though they may be a parent short every now and then.
“Alex, the stepdad, is in the Army and stationed in Fort Bragg, but every time he is home all four of us attend.
On a regular day it is the three of us, and we make it a point to sit together and cheer her on as a family.”
It may seem off to others, but Maelyn’s parents know it’s the right thing to do. Clara explained to the Huffington Post that co-parenting really isn’t as hard as it may seem, but it does take work!
“Let go of any past feelings you may have and make it work for the sake of the child. Stay strong. It is work every single day to keep this going.”
Clara, Alex, Ricky and Emilee are a great example of what happens when a divorced couple puts their own emotions aside and does what’s right for their children.
Facebook/Clara Cazeau
What do you think about their co-parenting style? Share your feelings in the Facebook comments section.
