Tips for Your Back-to-School, Post Winter Break and End of Year Parenting Plan Following a Divorce

Engaging with your former spouse following a divorce can be uncomfortable, but effectual communication is critical if you share children. If your children are headed back to school or getting ready to end the school year, it’s crucial to set any differences aside and establish a parenting plan with your ex-partner. That way, you both are on the same page and know what to expect once the school year begins.

Below, we’ll discuss some tips for you and your ex-partner to follow as you create your back-to-school or end-of-year parenting plan.

Be Communicative

Establishing an open line of communication with your ex-spouse for the sake of your children is important to maintain a solid co-parenting foundation. Communication is key in any relationship, including the one with a former spouse.

Both parties should agree to communicate with one another regarding your children’s needs, issues, and activities. This can also include sharing photos and videos from awards ceremonies, sporting events, and other activities your child is involved in with your former spouse.

By keeping each other updated, you’ll be setting yourselves up for co-parenting success.

Start a Calendar

Thanks to the connectivity of the Internet, you can create a digital calendar that you share with your spouse. That way, you are both in the loop regarding upcoming events and activities regarding your children.

For scheduling needs, there are widely used e-calendar options like Google Calendar. However, there are also more elaborate online tools available to divorced couples, such as Our Family Wizard and Coparently, that can help parents keep track of their children’s schedules.

Some common events and activities you can share on a digital calendar include medical appointments, extracurricular activities, project due dates, test dates, vacations, and more.

Share Homework and Project Duties

It’s critical for you and your former partner to be on the same page regarding homework, projects, and other commitments. It’s best for the child if both parents make an equal effort to follow up with children on homework, projects, studying, and other commitments. To ensure that your child gets their schoolwork done promptly, you and your ex should communicate about any upcoming deadlines or obligations.

Show Up for Parent-Teacher Conferences

If you can both attend parent-teacher conferences together, that’s ideal. While some divorced couples participate in separate conferences, this takes up more of the educator’s time and can make it seem like you and your ex-spouse are not on the same page.

You can show the educator that you and your ex are putting your child’s interests first by showing up together. While attending a parent-teacher conference in person is not always possible, you should make every effort to call in if you can’t be physically present.

Keep Each Other Updated on Health-related Matters

Open communication about your child’s health is an important topic when pursuing a healthy co-parenting dynamic after a divorce. If your child came home with a fever or there was a flu outbreak circulating around your child’s school, both parents should be aware of it. Likewise, both you and your ex should be kept informed of any significant decisions that need to be made regarding your child’s healthcare.

Contact a Dedicated Family Lawyer if Necessary

Co-parenting after a divorce can be complex to navigate. If disputes arise between you and your ex, you might want to contact a compassionate Virginia family lawyer at Roop Xanttopoulos Babounakis & Klam PLLC. We treat our clients with respect, sensitivity, and care. We have the resources and skills to help you resolve disputes while also defending your parenting rights and putting the best interests of your children first.