The end of summer is approaching fast, which means back to school is around the corner. For children of divorced parents, this time of year can be tricky.<\/p>\n
This article will share 12 tips to help newly divorced parents start the school year on the right note.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ve heard the saying \u201ccommunication is key,\u201d and it really is, especially for co-parents. If you happen to receive information regarding your child, their needs and activities, share it with your ex-spouse. Keeping each other in the loop regarding your child is important for a smooth co-parenting<\/a> experience.<\/p>\n Having a shared calendar whether it be a traditional paper one, or an online one, helps keep everyone in the loop regarding your child. Within a shared calendar, you can keep track of extracurricular activities or events, doctors appointments, homework and project deadlines, school photo days, family vacations, and more.<\/p>\n Back-to-school supplies can be costly. It\u2019s helpful when ex-spouses work together to pay for certain items. Doing this could set a positive tone for more amicable co-parenting.<\/p>\n Although this might be tough to do, it\u2019s just one day, an important one that would mean a lot to your child. This display of unity will show your child that you\u2019re a family unit regardless if you\u2019re still married or not.<\/p>\n Parents that agree in the beginning to share homework duties as equally as possible helps facilitate a more cohesive co-parenting experience. This lack of communication and duties can put unnecessary pressure on the child. Parents should agree to keep each other informed and share homework deadlines and progress reports with each other regularly.<\/p>\n A great way to help your child stay on track and complete homework assignments on time, is by ensuring any assignment folders and other necessary books and materials are kept with them from home to home.<\/p>\n Although some parents might prefer to attend these meetings separately, going to parent-teacher conferences together makes it easier on teachers and shows them that everyone is on the same page when it comes to supporting your child.<\/p>\n When one parent isn\u2019t able to attend important events and milestones, emailing them or texting them photos is a great way to show your commitment to co-parenting.<\/p>\n Your child might have school assignments that require family photos or information. If you completely remove the other half of your child\u2019s family, you\u2019re also discounting half of your child. It\u2019s important to represent both sides equally.<\/p>\n If possible, try and include your ex spouse\u2019s family members at birthday parties, extracurricular activities like dance or baseball, and more events to demonstrate a united front post-divorce.<\/p>\n If you hear something important regarding your child such as lice or pink eye running rampant at your child\u2019s school, inform the other parent immediately. While the school may contact each parent to let them know, it\u2019s important for both parents to have that information quickly so they can both look out for symptoms.<\/p>\n In other instances, where your child might wake up with a fever with one parent and can\u2019t attend school, it\u2019s important to let the other parent know as soon as possible.<\/p>\n Inclement weather days, or teacher in-service days are unpredictable, and while decrees and child custody orders usually let parents know who is responsible for taking the children when these events happen, these situations can still lead to confusion.<\/p>\n Because of the unpredictability of these situations, planning out how to deal with these days in advance is important.<\/p>\n It\u2019s normal for ex-spouses to disagree on issues pertaining to your children, if this occurs, having a parent facilitator can help sort things out. A parent facilitator is a great, objective resource that can help settle disputes. Fore example, you might want a mediation<\/a> to help with decisions such as whether private or public school is right for your child, or for instances when one parent feels like they have a heavier load than the other.<\/p>\n For newly divorced parents, co-parenting is no easy feat. It\u2019s important to find a groove for both yourselves and your child. Follow these tips to help you co-parent effectively and start the school year on a good note for your child.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The end of summer is approaching fast, which means back to school is around the corner. For children of divorced parents, this time of year can be tricky. This article will share 12 tips to help newly divorced parents start the school year on the right note. 1.) Facilitate open communication You\u2019ve heard the saying…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15135,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[205],"tags":[275],"class_list":["post-15136","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-divorce","tag-back-to-school"],"yoast_head":"\n2.) Create a shared family calendar and update it often<\/strong><\/h2>\n
3.) Communicate about back-to-school supplies<\/strong><\/h2>\n
4.) Drop your children off together on the first day of school <\/strong><\/h2>\n
5.) Get on the same page when it comes to homework, deadlines, and obligations <\/strong><\/h2>\n
6.) Ensure your child\u2019s backpack stays with them<\/strong><\/h2>\n
7.) If possible, attend parent-teacher conferences together<\/strong><\/h2>\n
8.) Share pictures of your child with the other parent <\/strong><\/h2>\n
9.) If possible, maintain contact with former in-laws and your ex\u2019s family history <\/strong><\/h2>\n
10.) Share any \u201cbreaking\u201d health information quickly <\/strong><\/h2>\n
11.) Plan for inclement weather days and teacher in-service days<\/strong><\/h2>\n
12.) If there are any roadblocks, work with a parent facilitator <\/strong><\/h2>\n
Use these tips to help make back to school easier for you and your child<\/strong><\/h2>\n