Personalized shirts made by Clara’s friend after Maelyn’s third game

These Co-Parents Take Teamwork to The Next Level

Divorce can be hard on kids, but these parents are determined to show unity for the sake of their daughter. For mother Cazeau and step-mother Emilee they both agreed that situation will never be the case for their children.

Their four-year old daughter, Maelyn, is thrilled to be playing soccer.  But what’s more thrilling is knowing that she has two co-parenting couples who supports her on her soccer game.

Co-parenting in their family doesn’t stop at wearing soccer jerseys

Step-mom, Emilee Player, said it was never a question on her mind whether or not she was going to get along with Clara (Maelyn’s mom) and her family. What’ matters is she’s doing it for Maelyn’s sake.

“In my eyes, her happiness is all that matters when it comes to all of us getting along,” Player said. Co-parenting in their blended family doesn’t just stop at wearing soccer jerseys Maelyn's soccer game.

Maelyn wears number 37 on her soccer team.

Maelyn Player's biggest supporters are her mom (Clara Cazeau), her dad (Ricky Player), her stepmom Emilee and her step dad, Alex Cazeau. They make an effort to attend all of her soccer games together. The four fans wore blue shirts with words on the back that proudly showed who they were in respect to Maelyn.

The Players

The four parents’ support of Maelyn — and each other — goes beyond the soccer field. Emilee and Ricky have another daughter, Everlee Player.  Clara and Alex are just as much in her life as they are in Maelyn’s. Clara was even there when Emilee went into labor with Everlee.

Player and Cazeau said although their situation took time to build as a steady blended family, parents who are looking for a solid co-parenting situation must focus on the well-being and needs of their children in order to achieve a healthy blended family environment.

Celebrating Christmas together

Even though they have a blended family, Cazeau still wanted to keep a family tradition alive by having their entire family wear jerseys supporting Maelyn at her soccer game.

“It was really positive, a lot of people would just say we wish we could be like that," said Player. "We do holidays together, we do birthdays together... we're basically like best friends," Cazeau and Player, who split up in 2013, when Maelyn was only 8 months old.

Player: “You can learn how to put your differences aside and do what’s best for your kid”

When asked whether they had advice for other co-parenting families, for Clara they should put their differences aside. “Let go of any past feelings you may have and make it work for the sake of the child,” she said. “Stay strong. It is work every single day to keep this going.”
 

And for Emilee, one of the most important part of co-parenting is setting the best example for the child. “Always respect the people involved because how you treat the other parents is a reflection of who you are,” she said.

“You can learn how to put your differences aside and do what’s best for your kid,” said Player. “At the end of the day your kid is watching you, and we want to teach Maelyn to love other people.”

“At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child's success is the positive involvement of parents.”

- Jane D. Hull