Sending your kids back to school is stressful during a global pandemic. Even if your child is continuing to learn remotely, the strain that the situation can put on your life can be consequential.
If you are a co-parent, your stress is probably being amplified if you or your ex-spouse are having trouble coordinating schedules to ensure that your child has someone watching them while they learn from home.
Here are some things that you can do if you need to change your parenting plan so that either you or your co-parent can continue working.
Review Your Co-Parenting Schedule
It is a good idea to periodically review your custodial documents to make sure that they still make sense for your situation. If you are having trouble getting work done, you should review your timesharing agreement. The schedule that you and your co-parent agreed to when these documents were drafted can be changed.
As soon as you think there might be a scheduling problem with your work, you should contact your co-parent.
Communicate with Your Co-Parent
It is possible that you and your co-parent may be able to come to an agreement on your own concerning your child’s schedule. You should talk to them to see if they would be willing to make an adjustment to the schedule until things start to go back to normal. Getting them to agree may be easier than you think.
If they seem hesitant or combative, you should not wait to speak to an attorney about your situation.
Communicate with Your Kids
Changes can be difficult for children, so you should also keep your kids in the loop about any adjustments you are making to their schedule. Reassure them about any fears that they may have, whether they are about COVID-19 or about your family situation.
Children sometimes feel things more intensely than adults, and they often hide their feelings, so be on the lookout for any signs of trouble, such as acting out or being quieter than usual.
Speak to an Attorney about Any Obstacles You Are Facing
In some cases, you may need to make the changes to your co-parenting schedule official. It is important that you seek professional help as soon as you know that making the change to your schedule is going to be more difficult than you thought.
At the very least, you should schedule a consultation with a divorce and child custody lawyer in your area so that you can discuss the specifics of your case with someone who has experience dealing with such issues.
Need Help Adjusting Your Co-Parenting Schedule to Accommodate Remote Learning?
If you need help with your co-parenting schedule, I am here to guide you through any changes that you need to make. Get in touch with me today to set up a consultation. As an experienced family law attorney, I know what you are going through is difficult. You don’t have to do it alone.