These Parents Took Their Daughter to Disney World to Prove Happy Co-Parenting Really Does Exist
Taking a trip to Disney World can be one of two things for parents: a total nightmare, or a magically fun time. But for parents who are separated, if it's going to fall in the latter camp, it usually doesn't involve your ex being present.
That wasn't the case for Joseph Hawkey and Tiffany Bankert. The two split up in 2009, but have been co-parenting daughter Maddie, now 7, since she was two months old. And while Joseph says it's definitely taken some time to get to where they are now, he would actually describe their current relationship as a mutual friendship. So much so, in fact, that they planned a surprise trip for Maddie to Disney World - all parents and step-parents included.
Maddie knew going into the trip that her dad and step-mom, Brianna Hawkey, would be there to ride rides and eat amusement park food with. But what she didn't know was that her mom, Tiffany, and step-dad, Luke Bankert, were also joining in on the fun. The four planned the trip together in secret, agreeing that Joseph and Brianna would bring Maddie to the entrance of Magic Kingdom, where Tiffany and Luke would be waiting.
"Her jaw dropped [when she saw us] and she was quite speechless," says Tiffany. "She usually has a lot to say, so it was funny and touching to see her so surprised. She had no idea."
To add a special flare - and show the world that happy co-parenting really is possible - Brianna, who always makes personalized shirts for Maddie, made sure to have customized options on hand. The adults wore white T-shirts that said "#CO-PARENTING" on the back and their parent title ("Mommy, Step Mommy, Daddy, Step Daddy") on the front. Maddie's name emblazoned the front of her t-shirt, and "Best Day Ever" was displayed across the back.
"We were hoping to show others it is possible to get along and enjoy a trip with everyone together," says Joseph of their decision to don the T-shirts (in Disney script and Mickey/Minnie Mouse ears, no less). "The experience was very positive, especially for Maddie."
This isn't the first time the four parents have planned special outings with Maddie, either. Joseph says they've already gone to the Dutch Wonderland amusement park, and Tiffany adds that they try to do something at least once a month with all of them together, even if it's just dinner. "But we all go to her softball games and school events, so she sees us together often," she adds. "In fact, tonight her step-mom and I are both taking her to the school's book fair."
"Maddie is super excited whenever we all do things together, and she knows we all love her," says Brianna. "With all of us working together, she doesn't feel like she ever has to pick a side."
Tiffany agrees, and the group noted that they're not done yet - on tap is a summer trip to Hershey Park in Pennsylvania.
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Taking a trip to Disney World can be one of two things for parents: a total nightmare, or a magically fun time. But for parents who are separated, if it's going to fall in the latter camp, it usually doesn't involve your ex being present.
That wasn't the case for Joseph Hawkey and Tiffany Bankert. The two split up in 2009, but have been co-parenting daughter Maddie, now 7, since she was two months old. And while Joseph says it's definitely taken some time to get to where they are now, he would actually describe their current relationship as a mutual friendship. So much so, in fact, that they planned a surprise trip for Maddie to Disney World - all parents and step-parents included.
Maddie knew going into the trip that her dad and step-mom, Brianna Hawkey, would be there to ride rides and eat amusement park food with. But what she didn't know was that her mom, Tiffany, and step-dad, Luke Bankert, were also joining in on the fun. The four planned the trip together in secret, agreeing that Joseph and Brianna would bring Maddie to the entrance of Magic Kingdom, where Tiffany and Luke would be waiting.
"Her jaw dropped [when she saw us] and she was quite speechless," says Tiffany. "She usually has a lot to say, so it was funny and touching to see her so surprised. She had no idea."
To add a special flare - and show the world that happy co-parenting really is possible - Brianna, who always makes personalized shirts for Maddie, made sure to have customized options on hand. The adults wore white T-shirts that said "#CO-PARENTING" on the back and their parent title ("Mommy, Step Mommy, Daddy, Step Daddy") on the front. Maddie's name emblazoned the front of her t-shirt, and "Best Day Ever" was displayed across the back.
"We were hoping to show others it is possible to get along and enjoy a trip with everyone together," says Joseph of their decision to don the T-shirts (in Disney script and Mickey/Minnie Mouse ears, no less). "The experience was very positive, especially for Maddie."
This isn't the first time the four parents have planned special outings with Maddie, either. Joseph says they've already gone to the Dutch Wonderland amusement park, and Tiffany adds that they try to do something at least once a month with all of them together, even if it's just dinner. "But we all go to her softball games and school events, so she sees us together often," she adds. "In fact, tonight her step-mom and I are both taking her to the school's book fair."
"Maddie is super excited whenever we all do things together, and she knows we all love her," says Brianna. "With all of us working together, she doesn't feel like she ever has to pick a side."
Tiffany agrees, and the group noted that they're not done yet - on tap is a summer trip to Hershey Park in Pennsylvania.
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