Sharing Custody During COVID19: Five Tips

Sharing Custody During COVID19: Five Tips

As we come upon the beginning of a new year and a new list of struggles we need to meet, it’s important to have a gameplan for the holidays. With that said, join us today for our roundup of the five best tips for sharing custody during COVID19.

Safety First

While opinions on COVID-19 and the way we take care of ourselves may differ, the science is the same no matter where you live. Cities where masks are mandated show measurably fewer cases of COVID infections than cities without. Cities with mandatory quarantining show similarly low rates.

If you can make sure you’re in compliance with CDC (the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommendations, you’re in good shape. Try to stay informed with the latest news and developments regarding the pandemic. Stick to trusted sources. Remember that this is a disease that has been heavily politicized, so many news stations won’t hesitate to put their own spins on it.

Then, follow the standard health and safety precautions recommended for COVID prevention. Wash your hands, use disinfectant frequently, and keep a safe social distance when visiting public spaces. This is good for educating your child and getting them to behave properly when you’re not around.

Keep Communications Open and Transparent

The easiest way to get kids to grapple with any problem is to keep your communications channels open and honest. Talk to them plainly about what’s happening, educating them as you go, and admitting when you need to do more research, as well. Be upfront about how dangerous everything is, right now. Talk to them about their concerns. Remain calm and don’t sugarcoat things – if you can be an authority figure who knows how to handle things, they will respond to that.

While retaining your honesty, also remember not to discuss your own concerns with your children. They don’t need to worry or feel guilty over grown-up problems. Simply listening to your child and being there for them is enough.

Continue Complying with the Court’s Orders

We live in interesting times, but that doesn’t change the legality of your court-mandated custody orders. These arrangements exist for a reason, with the goal of giving parents the flexibility to see their children when it’s most fair to everyone involved.

Just because this is a difficult time doesn’t mean you are entitled to special treatment. Make sure both parents are on the same page about custody and how to split up visitation time during the pandemic. Then make sure to stick to that arrangement.

At All Times, Remain Flexible

This may sound like a contradiction after our last point, but there will be times when you’ll need to be flexible with your arrangements. Your custody orders are put in place for the court to give you and your former spouse a reasonable option for co-parenting your children. But, sometimes life gets in the way, and you might just not be able to comply.

What happens if one parent falls sick? Or, in this case, even gets COVID-19? Essential workers could be called in suddenly to work extra shifts or longer hours, without prior notice. This is a difficult time for all of us, and it’s our recommendation that you adjust the restrictions of your custody agreement where appropriate.

Be Transparent With Your Co-Parent

It is more important than it’s ever been to stay “on the level” with our friends and family during COVID-19. Maintaining an open dialog with our co-parent means quicker decision-making and arrangements that work best for everyone.

This goes especially for suspected infections. Don’t try to cover it up if you suspect you or your child may have been exposed to the virus at some point. Reach out to your former spouse and have a frank discussion about what the next steps are. And, it should go without saying, if your child shows symptoms, contact the other parent know right away to start making important healthcare decisions.

Practice Generosity

It’s no secret, divorce tends to make most of us at least a little guarded. This is not the time to be mean, however, and it would actually be a good idea to look for opportunities to be kind to each other. Is there a valid reason for your ex to miss out on scheduled custody time? Take the high road, letting them make up that time when they can. Remember: your child is a part of this struggle, too, and may benefit more from the extra attention than you think.

Sharing Custody During COVID19

Sharing custody during COVID19 may seem like adding fuel to an already uncomfortable fire. If you go into the holidays with a gameplan, however, you’ll be more than ready.

Looking for more insights into the divorce process? Want to know more about your custody rights? Learn how you can manage the tricky waters of your separation, with services from Daytona Family Law.