The COVID-19 pandemic has upturned “normal life” for people around the globe. Among other things, families who were in a co-parenting routine are now having to take another look at what they’re doing. From staying safe to knowing your rights, stay on top of how the pandemic is impacting families like yours. This is what you need to know about co-parenting and COVID-19. 

Keep it Normal 

Most lockdowns allow for parenting plans and custody agreements to be upheld during the lockdowns. By keeping your custody arrangement normal, you will set the stage for a more stable time with your kids. Even when things are very uncertain because of the pandemic, kids can rely on knowing which days and times they’re going to be with each parent. Since state laws can vary, make sure you research more on what you need to know about co-parenting and COVID-19 in your specific state! 

Another excellent reason to keep your co-parenting schedule as normal as possible is that the lockdown and pandemic are only temporary. Even though nobody knows when it will end, they do know that it will end at some point! By keeping your routine normal, it will make transitioning back into the way things were that much easier when the time comes! 

“Even though nobody knows when it will end, they do know that it will end at some point!“

Consider Compromises 

As much as you hate to do it, you’re probably going to have to make some compromises during the pandemic. If you already know this ahead of time, you can be prepared for it. Remember that when you’re co-parenting, you’re working as a team and that will sometimes mean “taking one” for that team. As long as the compromise is in the best interests of your child, it is something you should consider. 

With people losing jobs, schools closed, and daycares unavailable, a compromise can look very different from what a typical custody compromise would look like. Remember to have grace when it comes to working with your child’s other parent and that the struggle is real for almost everyone right now! 

Enlist Professional Help

Even if you’ve found out what you need to know about co-parenting and COVID-19, your child’s other parent might not have done the same. There is a lot of conflicting information and it could be possible that they received the wrong information. If you are struggling to communicate about changes or during the lockdown, you may want to enlist professional help. Mediators and communicators may still be working and may make it easier for you to communicate. Many professionals are adjusting their strategies and can do most of the communication virtually to help promote safety! 

Other things you may need to contact a professional for during this time include temporary schedule changes due to loss or change of a job, child support adjustments due to income change, or anything else requiring legal help. 

Make Safety a Priority 

Even though you might be trying to keep your custody situation as normal as possible during the pandemic, it’s important to remember that things are nowhere near normal. Safety should still be your number one priority. Since your child is going between homes, it is more important for you to focus on staying home as much as possible and following any recommendations for health and safety. It is also a good idea to communicate with your child’s other parent to come up with a plan for if either one of you, the child, or anyone in either home contracts COVID-19. While this may be the last thing you think about when considering what you need to know about co-parenting and COVID-19, it’s important to plan for the worst. 

Depending on your co-parenting situation and each of the households that your child is a part of, you may want to take extra steps to protect everyone involved. 

Stay Informed 

It is important to stay informed on the latest developments and recommendations about COVID-19. Staying up to date on constantly evolving information will allow you to work as a better co-parent and to protect your child in the best way possible. Always follow guidelines put into place by government authorities and do your best to stay home. Research the best way to protect yourself and your kids while you’re navigating co-parenting in a pandemic. 

As you learn more about what you need to know for co-parenting and COVID-19, you may find new ways to handle different issues that arise in your situation. If you find that you need professional help or you need advice about anything related to co-parenting, contact Wiser Divorce Solutions!