The weeks leading up to the new school year is often full of excitement for children who cannot wait to catch up with their friends and talk about their summer break. For divorced parents, however, the back-to-school season can be hectic and stressful, especially if this is their first time navigating their way through the new school year as divorced parents.
If you and your spouse recently divorced and are now trying to prepare your children for their return to school, we have a list of tips that will help you get through this as smoothly as possible.
Getting Ready for the New School New Year
As parents, your goal should be to minimize conflict as much as possible while raising your children. Instead of focusing on any of the troubles you had during your marriage, focus on your children’s needs and best interests.
Here are some tips to consider as you prepare their first day back at school:
- Tell their teachers about the divorce: Your children spend a vast amount of time in school and, oftentimes, teachers are the adults in their lives who can best observe any emotional problems they are experiencing. Tell them about the divorce, so they can show understanding and emotional support if your children act out or appear distressed. Their teachers should also keep both you and your co-parent in the loop.
- Talk to your children about how to answer questions: Before your children start their first day of school, talk to them about how they plan on answering questions about the divorce. If their peers know about it, they might ask your children questions, so make sure they understand that they can politely refuse to answer if they are uncomfortable.
- Create a family calendar: If you and your co-parent want to minimize interactions with one another to avoid unnecessary conflict, create an online calendar that is accessible for everyone in the family. Input important dates, such as parent-teacher night and after school performances, so neither of you miss out on your children’s academic events.
- Split the cost of school supplies: Your child support order is designed to address the more regular needs of your children, but it might not take into account one-time expenses like school supplies, so consider equitably sharing this expense. Write up a list of your children’s school supply needs and divide the cost.
- See them off on their first day: If possible, try to drop off your children together on their first day back in school. You are no longer together as a couple, but you are a team when it comes to raising them, so give them your support.
Contact an Experienced Family Law Attorney Today!
If you are in the midst of a difficult family law matter, such as divorce or child custody, turn to the compassionate family law team at Casey, Simmons & Bryant, PLLC for the skilled legal guidance you need to get through it. Our team is backed by over three decades of combined legal experience and you can expect us to use it to your advantage.
Contact us today at (731) 256-0023 to schedule a complimentary and confidential case review with one of our trusted attorneys.
