5 Tips to Make Co-Parenting Easier During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit several industries, revealing weaknesses that many didn’t know were there. While several significant industries are receiving a lot of attention from lawmakers, some issues are left in the shadows.

Among those deeply impacted by this global crisis are divorced partners. With lockdown orders still in effect in some states, some partners have difficulty navigating the provisions set by their custody agreements.

States like Texas still have their child custody laws in place amid the pandemic. According to law firms, parents ultimately have to sacrifice their children’s health and safety just so they do not violate any standing court order.

Do parents have to do this in the name of law? As a parent, how do you cope with this?

Here are some tips to help:

Keep Communication Lines Open

Whenever possible, you should talk to your former spouse and agree on prioritizing your children’s health over anything else.

If you can lessen the time they need to spend with the other parent, talk it over and come to an agreement. If the other party lost hours at work, be flexible with the child support, and try to understand where they are coming from. 

Do your best to avoid making any assumptions or having extremely high expectations. Most people face difficulties these days, and the best thing you can do for your child is to extend some patience and understanding. 

Agree on Temporary Scheduling Changes

At this stage, it is critical to agree on things.

If possible, you and your ex-spouse should agree on temporary changes to the previous schedule, and make alterations to whatever is most convenient and safe for the children.

You can choose to have a weekday and weekend parent, or you may choose to follow a week-on, week-off schedule, so it is less strenuous for the kids.

Stay Socially Connected and Physically Distanced

If the other parent is working in high exposure jobs, such as health care or police work, agree to limit your children’s contact.

It would be in the best interest of your children to lessen their exposure to risks. If possible, allow them to communicate via video calls.

Don’t deprive your children of talking to their other parents in your home.

If you still bear some ill feelings towards your ex-partner, you can ask your kids to speak in the privacy of their room so you won’t have to keep nagging them to wrap up the conversation. 

Resort to Online Mediation

If you are in the middle of a child custody negotiation, you can choose to go for an online mediation instead.

Remember, whenever you go out, you are potentially exposing yourself to the virus, and you are also at risk of exposing your kids when you go home to them.

It’s best to stay at home and undergo online mediation as possible.

Keep in mind that some court staff are also working from home. Everyone is still in the adjustment period, so be patient.

Know Boundaries

While it may be tempting to bring your kids outside more, you have to set your boundaries and stick to them. You and your ex-partner should have a list of people your kids can talk to or interact with.

Anyone not on the list should be off-limits. No one will blame you or judge you if you are overprotective of your children during this time. 

The coronavirus caught us all by surprise. This is why some people are still finding it challenging to adjust to the many changes presented by the spread of the virus.

When it comes to raising your kids during the pandemic, all you have to think about is their well being and put them first. Stay safe!