School is back in session, which means that co-parents will have to work through a variety of decisions. Many of these should be made together, and they all must be made based on what’s best for the children.
There are several things that parents can do to make the back-to-school season as stress-free as possible. These are a good starting point, but may need to be adjusted based on your situation.
Double-check decision-making
Some parents share decision-making powers for education, but it’s also possible that one parent will be solely responsible. Understanding these powers is critical for both parents because it sets the standard for the upcoming school year.
Set communication standards
Communication with the school can be challenging. One of the first things you have to do is to determine if the school will only contact one parent or if they’re able to contact both. In either case, a plan should be set so you and your ex can both be informed about everything related to school.
Plan for activities and transportation
Children often want parents to attend their activities, and they may need transportation to these events and practices. You and your ex should work together to determine how both parents can support the children and how transportation will be handled. Getting this in writing might be beneficial so there’s no question about the agreements later.
The parenting plan is the go-to source for information about how to handle each aspect of child custody. Back-to-school season isn’t an exception. It may be beneficial to work with someone who can assist you with determining what education-related matters should be included. This should be done before the children start school, but it may need to be modified as the child matures.