If you're engaged in a custody arrangement, then you and your co-parent are probably ramping up to the 2021 school year. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of things may be changing for co-parents this year - knowing what to expect and how to prepare can help you ensure that your child receives the academic experience they deserve.
To schedule a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys for your case, contact us online or via phone at (731) 256-0023.
First Things First - What's Your School Doing This Year?
In 2020, many schools moved to e-learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, most schools are considering moving students back into the classroom for the 2021-2022 school year, but concerns about the delta variant of COVID-19 may impact that decision.
On the website for your school district, you should be able to access the latest news regarding their response to COVID-19 and plans for the future. If you or your co-parent have concerns about how your school district is handling the situation, you may want to attend a school board meeting - which are often accessible to the public - to discuss your concerns with educators.
Is Your Custody Plan Still Appropriate?
Many parents found themselves unexpectedly petitioning for custody modifications in 2020 as they changed their schedules to accommodate e-learning for their children.
Assuming your school is moving back to in-person education for your child(ren), you may want to readjust your custody plan yet again heading into the 2021/2022 school year. An arrangement that previously worked due to you and your co-parent availability may need to change to help your child thrive.
What Are You Doing for Holidays This Year?
Holidays are often a point of contention among co-parents. Which holidays will your child be spending with which parent? How do you intend to divvy up time over school breaks, such as winter and spring break? Are you planning on having any "family" activities over holidays or breaks where both parents can spend time with their child at the same time?
Answering these questions can help reduce stress when the holidays roll around. If you can preplan vacations, consider doing that too.
How Are You Distributing Academic Responsibilities?
In some custody arrangements, one parent handles academic responsibilities, while the other takes care of managing extracurricular activities. In other custody arrangements, parents may share those responsibilities equally.
It's worth thinking about how you want to deal with topics such as boundaries for how much time your child spends doing homework or accessing entertainment such as video games or social media. Ensuring that both parents are on the same page when it comes to these topics or concerns is vital if you want to minimize conflict in your custody arrangement.
At Casey, Simmons & Bryant, PLLC, our attorneys will help you pursue the best custody arrangement for you and your family. To schedule a consultation with our team, contact us online or via phone at (731) 256-0023.
