Charlotte Divorce Lawyer Blog
The new school year is upon us, and it is time to start thinking about how to provide the best parenting possible for your kids. Divorced parents likely share custody and need to shift gears out of summer vacation mode and back into school-year mode. Co-parenting takes a lot of good coordination and communication to ensure that your kids are happy and healthy. Having children in school presents additional concerns; you want to ensure that your kids get a good education and balance their time for a contented life.
Learn to Communicate
Communication with your ex during the school year is more critical than ever. You need to be able to discuss the many issues that arise with your children’s education. Better communication means you will be better equipped to handle school-related problems when they arise. Schedule a specific date and time to discuss school matters with your former spouse. Limit the conversations to your child’s education, health, and happiness, and avoid getting into long-standing arguments over old issues. If necessary, seek family therapy to help you and your ex learn better communication methods.
Be Flexible
You want your kids to enjoy extra-curricular activities, but you can get hung up about their schedule. Encourage your children to participate in sports and other things they love without having to worry about their parent’s schedules. Make time to transport or pick up your children at different times or places, even if it means you need to make new arrangements at work. Encourage kids to take part in sports and other activities. A recent study by PLOS One found that adolescents who participated in sports were less likely to suffer mental health issues than children who did not participate. PLOS One found that adolescents who participated in sports were less likely to suffer mental health issues than children who do not take part.
Work Out Changes
The schedule is bound to change occasionally throughout the week, especially when kids are involved in after-school clubs or sports. Your child custody and parenting plans provide pick-up dates, times, and places guidelines. If significant changes are necessary, make sure that you get the changes in writing. If possible, seek a permanent change through a court ordered modification. You and your former spouse will attend a hearing where the judge will review modifications.
Best Interest of the Children
There can be many issues that you need to consider when you are parenting during the school year. You must ensure that you provide plenty of time for homework and limit the time kids can spend playing games or communicating on their phones. Both parents should be included in school functions such as parent night. Stay involved in your child’s academic progress and address any problems as soon as possible. Talk to your former spouse regularly to keep abreast of what is happening in your child’s life.
Parenting children during the school year can be challenging, especially with many varied and changing schedules. Yet, it is essential to your child’s well-being that both parents can use good parenting skills to make their lives easier and less stressful. A good parenting plan is one of the best tools you can incorporate to set guidelines that both parents can follow throughout your child’s life. Get a phone, video, or in-person consultation by calling at (704) 370-2828 to speak with our detail-oriented and well-versed lawyers with offices in Charlotte, Lake Norman, and Monroe; please contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC today or find additional resources here.
The family law practice group at Arnold & Smith, PLLC includes five Board-Certified Family Law specialists and one Child Welfare Law specialist, as well as several attorneys with many years of family law experience that are committed to providing a powerful voice to individuals facing the often-tumultuous issues in this area of law. The range of issues our family law clients may be facing include pre- and post-nuptial agreements; separation agreements; post-separation support; child support (both temporary and permanent); absolute divorce; divorce from bed and board; military divorce; equitable distribution of assets; child custody (both temporary and permanent); retirement benefits and divorce; alimony and spousal support; adoption; and emancipation. Because this area of the law is usually emotionally charged and complicated, the family law attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, act with the utmost dedication to ensure that each client understands his or her options and then work to achieve the best result possible for that client’s particular situation.
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