Parents typically work cooperatively to help their children make the most of their experience in school. However, not all parents see eye to eye on important educational matters. In some cases, parents may find themselves disagreeing intensely about issues that arise when their children attend school. Parents who share custody of children who attend public, private or charter schools may find that issues during the school year complicate their co-parenting relationship.
What types of challenges do parents need to address in advance to better ensure a positive co-parenting dynamic?
1. The possibility of a sudden absence
Children can develop flu-like symptoms in the middle of the school day. They might get into a fistfight during recess and get sent home for disciplinary reasons. The parent who has physical custody at the time when the child must leave school suddenly has to accommodate that need. Parents may need to structure their parenting plans carefully to account for the possibility of a child needing to come home in the middle of the day.
2. The potential of academic challenges
Children and teenagers do not always perform to the best of their capabilities at school. Especially when going through tumultuous family changes, such as a divorce, a sudden decline in academic performance is possible. Children and teens may also develop disciplinary issues as they act out because of their intense emotions about changing family circumstances. Committing to enforcing the same standards and working cooperatively can help co-parents support their children when they struggle.
3. The complications of extracurricular activities
School plays, sports and a host of other extracurricular activities can be beneficial for children. They may make new friendships, improve their confidence or learn healthy habits through their participation in extracurricular activities. Unfortunately, those activities often complicate the family schedule and come with certain costs. Parents may need to discuss extracurricular activities in advance to avoid sudden conflicts about when children can participate, who covers the costs and who attends special events.
Addressing likely sources of co-parenting conflict in advance can help parents work cooperatively when they share custody. If major disagreements do occur, parents may need to prepare to go back to family court to resolve the dispute or modify the custody order due to changes in family circumstances.
