As hard as it is to believe for many of Georgia’s children, the end of summer is right around the corner. This means that many have gone back to school or will shortly. While many parents celebrate this time of year, the back-to-school season can raise some issues for parents who are starting the divorce process. These parents may not be living together anymore, and, for the first time, have to figure out how to deal with hectic school schedules, after school activities and sporting events alone.
In order to deal with the stress of the new school year, experts offer a few tips on how co-parents can work together to make the school year a success for them and for their children. First, experts suggest that parents come up with a plan to deal with homework. Parents need to discuss how homework will be completed at each parent’s home and who will be responsible for ensuring that the children’s work is completed.
Second, parents should also come to an agreement about after school activities. Parents should discuss which activities are appropriate, how children will get to and from these activities and any financial concerns there may be about the children’s participation.
Finally, experts suggest that co-parents revisit these issues frequently. They say that as the children grow, the needs of the family will change. Therefore, parents need to make sure they update their expectations because what worked for the family last school year, may not work great this year.
All of these issues and others can be incorporated into a parenting plan. Through divorce mediation, Georgia couples can work with a neutral mediator to solve many of these issues before problems arise. By working together couples can create unique parenting plans that work for their families. By getting solutions to these issues on paper, parents can avoid disputes as their children go back to school this fall.
Source: The Huffington Post, “Co-Parenting Tips for Kicking Off This New School Year On The Right Foot,” Diane L. Danois, J.D., Aug. 12, 2013
