For Missouri parents and kids, back-to-school time can be an exciting and anxious time of year as students look forward to new teachers, classes and friends. When parents have recently divorced, they may be even more concerned about how to make the school year successful. This is especially true when children are starting their first academic year while splitting time between their parents’ homes. However, by keeping a few key tips in mind, divorced parents can help make their children’s experience positive, supportive and full of achievements.
While it may be uncomfortable for parents to come together shortly after a divorce, it is important to talk together with the children about the upcoming academic year. By going over some key goals and concerns for the year to come, parents can provide strong support for their children’s social and scholastic needs. In addition, kids will feel supported by both of their parents as they go off to face the new year. In some cases, this may be too difficult to do in person; however, kids can have the same conversation with each parent and share their results with the other.
In addition, a shared calendar can be critical for school-year planning. There are regular child custody or visitation schedules as well as school events, activities, performances and trips. Appointments like parent-teacher conferences and doctor visits can also be shared on an online calendar that both parents and kids access.
Other issues can be important to deal with during the divorce itself, such as additional costs for the children’s school activities. These could include field trip fees, school uniforms and extracurricular activity costs. A family law attorney may work with a divorcing spouse to achieve a fair settlement that addresses these costs in the divorce decree alongside child custody and property division.
