The new school year can be both exciting and nerve racking for not only students, but newly divorced parents as well. It can be tricky navigating the new waters of separation while parenting your child. Your kids might be apprehensive about not only their assigned teachers, but also what their post-divorce school life will look like. It is important that you communicate and plan for the school year together to alleviate confusion and worry.
At Family Law Advocacy Group, we understand the anxiety that comes with transitioning from one to two family units. To help you, we have compiled a list of tips to help you with co-parenting during the school year.
Create a Schedule
In order to offer stability and structure for you and your child, you should create a schedule. The schedule should address where your child is staying each night. You should also decide who is going to pick up and drop off the kid at school. To ensure that everyone is on the same page, note any afterschool activities.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
If possible, it would be a good idea for you and your ex to meet with your child’s teachers together. This will show that you both care about your kid’s education and you will both know their academic progress. However, if attending a parent-teacher conference is not an option, make sure that each parent meets with the teachers at least once. Most educators understand divorce and are willing to work around different schedules.
School Activities and Events
In order to show support for your children, you should attend as many of their school functions as you can. If you can, set aside your differences with your ex and attend together. By scheduling events ahead of time, you can work it out so that at least one parent is at school events.
Communicate
It is important to stay informed about what is going on with your child and their education. Regularly check in with them and your ex to make sure that everything is okay. Sometimes a child will discuss an incident with one parent and forget to do so with the other. By communicating, you can ensure that everyone is informed.
Offer Support
There will be times where your child is not with you or you need to travel. During these times, reach out and show your support. Call your kid before a big event or text to ask how they are doing. Showing support even when you are not there will help reassure your child.
At Family Law Advocacy Group, we believe that co-parenting does not need to be difficult or uncomfortable. By planning and scheduling, we believe that you and your family can help the school year go smoothly. For more information about post-divorce adjustments, contact our San Bernardino family law Attorney.
Related: