Ways to Better Coparent During the Outbreak
Mastering co-parenting isn’t always easy, and throwing COV-19 into the mix, surely doesn’t help. However, if you can figure out a way to implement some of the tips below into your everyday life, it will lessen the impact of some of the bigger changes we are all experiencing.
E-Learning/Distance Learning
It is important during this time, that your child’s education is prioritized, even though he or she may not be attending school every day. Parents should work together to update where the child is at in his or her schoolwork prior to the start of the other parent’s time sharing. Parents should also be mindful to ensure that their children have all their necessary supplies and materials prior to the exchange. In addition, parents should work together to create a plan, by looking at your child’s schoolwork and/ or schedule. Parents should ask one another questions like “What time does our child work on their class materials?” “When do they take breaks?” “Where do they typically do their work at in the house?” Address some of these basic questions and come up with a plan to create some consistencies.
Safe Practices
When sending items or clothing to the home of the other parent, be sure to take proper measures to clean certain items that are commonly handled, to make sure to not continue to spread any possible germs. Also, be mindful of who is around your kids. Many parents use grandparents to watch their kids when they need to work or run errands. However, the virus has had a greater and more severe impact on the older population, whereas children may carry the virus and show no signs of it. Therefore, parents should consider finding alternative care for their children, if childcare is necessary—do not just assume because you or your child isn’t showing symptoms, doesn’t mean they are not carriers.
Be Open to Hearing Ideas, and Be Flexible
With the constant shifting of community dynamics, it is important to remain open and flexible. With parent’s work schedules shifting, and limited access to everyday places, it is important to be able to work together to come up with alternatives if need be. This includes the potential limited access to retail stores, and supplies—parents should work together to ensure that the child has access to everything he or she needs. It is going to be imperative that parents are able to hear one another out, and be willing to be flexible during this time.
Be Generous and Allow for Make Up Days
If one parent has missed on timesharing due to the outbreak, try to come up with a plan to provide make up time for that parent, if possible. Family law judges expect parents to be reasonable, and make accommodations when possible, and will take seriously concerns raised in later filings about parents who are inflexible in highly unusual circumstances.
Be Mindful of the Media
Avoid unreliable media sources, if at all possible. Also, it is important to limit your child’s exposure to new regarding the virus. Children are experiencing enough changes and shifts in their everyday activities; it is important to limit other stressors. Allow your children to ask questions, and feel free to address their concerns, but try to limit comments about the virus or leave the news on in the background. Be a source of reassurance and stability for your children, be sure to not displace your anxiety onto them.
Think About Travel Plans
Many people have vacation plans that have changed. Be mindful of notifying the non-timesharing parent of any changes that may result from possible closures. Consider the safety and health risks when traveling, and coordinate with the non-timesharing parent to make sure that proper measures are being taken before traveling. In addition, if travel plans must change due to the virus, be flexible in coordinating with the other parent in allowing such adjustments to be made.
