Co-parenting can be a challenge for many families, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only added pressure to a difficult situation. With schools closed and both parents juggling busy work schedules, parents need to find solutions to support their child’s learning while also honoring the child custody agreement.
Making Decisions about Education
One challenge is if parents have differing opinions about the child’s education. Look in your child custody order, where you will find this information in the first few pages. When the custody plan was finalized, it outlined which parent(s) have the right to make these decisions.
For example, one parent might have exclusive rights to decide between remote schooling and in-person classes (when the schools open up again). Or, this decision might need to be made by agreement between both parents, which can be a point of contention if the parents have differing views.
Your attorney can help you look at recent rulings in your court to see how judges are allowing parents to sort these decisions. In some cases, stay-at-home parents might have the option for remote education at home, despite the objections from the other parent.
Working Together to Manage School
Schedule management is critical when the child is completing schoolwork at home. Regardless of which parent is caring for the child, both parents need to be on the same page about providing the support the child needs for education. When the virtual school bell rings, the student needs to be ready to learn.
If a parent has a better schedule to accommodate remote learning, then it might make sense to adjust the schedule to match. These changes can be temporary during the COVID-19 pandemic. But it’s always best to consult with your child custody lawyer to learn what possible long-term ramifications you might be facing.
Child Custody Lawyer
Child custody can be difficult when co-parents aren’t seeing eye-to-eye on certain topics. It’s essential that you have the support of an experienced custody attorney to protect your rights as a parent. For personalized advice, schedule a consultation with our team at Miles & Hatcher, LLP: (909) 481-4080.