School is back in session, but life has significantly changed for your family. Your kids are now juggling two households. Communication with your ex about the kids has become more complicated. Emotions among all family members may be running high. But life will go much smoother if you and your co-parent commit to approaching the new school year in an organized, united fashion. Here are four crucial tips to help make that happen.
1. Create a communication plan.
Clear, consistent, and effective communication between you and your ex is vital for a good co-parenting relationship. You should both explicitly agree to exchange all pertinent information about your kids’ schedules, activities, health, and all other relevant information. Also, decide how you will communicate, especially if you have a hostile relationship. If you can’t speak to each other without arguing, agree to communicate through texts or emails primarily. If you have an amicable relationship, you might set aside time to speak to each other during drop-offs. However, you should never pass messages through your children. This critical responsibility must remain squarely with the adults.
2. Use a family calendar.
In addition to good communication, online family calendars and apps are essential to keeping you and your ex on the same page. A good calendar will allow co-parents to schedule various events, including extra-curricular activities, parent-teacher conferences, homework and project deadlines, school photo days, doctor’s appointments, recitals, carpools, babysitter pick-ups, and more. Many calendars are color-coded, allowing each family member’s schedule to be immediately identifiable.
3. Make a plan for the unexpected
If your parenting agreement doesn’t cover it, make a plan for how to handle emergencies. Decide who will take care of the children on sick days, snow days, or any other days your child might have to stay home. Discuss the plan that would kick in if one of you becomes sick, becomes temporarily incapacitated, or needs to travel for business. If the unexpected becomes a reality, you’ll be able to react quickly, keeping stress to a minimum and your child’s life relatively stable.
4. Prioritize the children.
No matter the nature of your relationship with your ex, the well-being of your children should be your priority. Studies show that children whose parents are engaged in ongoing post-divorce conflict are more likely to have difficulty adjusting to their new life and may act out, become depressed, experience troubles in school, and suffer other mental distress. For the kids’ sake, put your differences and find a way to cooperate with as little animosity as possible.
Experienced Family Law Attorneys Serving Manchester, Concord, Derry, and More
If you are getting divorced or need help developing a fair parenting agreement, contact the experienced family law attorneys at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. We help families get a fresh start throughout the state: Manchester, Concord, Nashua, Bedford, Derry, and beyond. Call 1-888-511-1010 for your consultation today, or reach out online for a case evaluation.