It’s very obvious that the usual way of living in the United States has drastically changed in the past few weeks. Social distancing and self-isolation have become essential and large gatherings, such as an Easter brunch with the family, have been cancelled until further notice due to COVID-19. While many are spending time being quarantined with their immediate family, the current state of our world has caused a major ripple in every day life, especially when it comes to child custody agreements.
It’s crucial for parents to set aside their personal differences and focus on keeping the child in a both physically and emotionally healthy environment. Keep reading to learn more about how to successfully co-parent during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Find Ways to Work Together
We’re all navigating uncharted waters, especially with family courts currently closed. It’s imperative that you find some common ground with your ex and work out a schedule that works best for everyone. Now is not the time to be petty, harbor hurt feelings or instigate a fight. Also, consider the child’s opinion (if they’re old enough) in this case and where they will feel the most comfortable staying for longer periods of time.
Limit Unnecessary Visits
Several states are currently strongly encouraging citizens to stay-at-home and only go outside when it is absolutely necessary. Do not take your child to see extended family members or invite them into your home. The purpose of this self-isolation order is to limit contact with people. While their grandparents may enjoy seeing their grandchild, with so many unknowns about this virus, it’s crucial to stay home and protect your child, as well as yourself.
Keep Records of Communication
According to a San Diego child custody attorney, “Many custody cases involve miscommunications between the parents”. To avoid this, especially during a time where the courts are not as involved, keep track of all communication between you and the other parent. This means you should save every text, every email, every voicemail, and every note. By keeping all of this documentation, you’ll be able to prove you were working with the other parent during this hectic time to the best of your ability.
While it’s a scary time right now for everyone in the world, it’s critical that you do your part as a parent and protect your child as much as you can. Regardless of what your current relationship is with your ex, the child and their safety needs to come first. Try to focus on making co-parenting as easy as possible during this hectic time to ensure your child’s physical and emotional well-being is kept intact long after this is over.