You’re likely one of many Maryland parents who is feeling a bit overwhelmed at this time as you gear up for another back-to-school season. Perhaps, you have a child who is entering Kindergarten or a growing teenager who is starting his or her senior year. You might be filled with emotion, wondering where time has gone.
If you also happen to be one of many Maryland parents who filed for divorce over the summer, you might be concerned about your children’s ability to cope and concerned about how your situation might affect their back-to-school season. It’s definitely true that kids often experience a wide range of emotions when their parents divorce. However, if you build a strong support network from the start, your children will likely fare well.
Fill teachers in, as needed
You and your ex decided that you did not want to be married to each other anymore. However, you’ll always have a relationship because of your kids. The more you can work as a team, especially concerning back-to-school season, the better for everyone involved. It’s a good idea to inform your children’s teachers of your divorce ahead of time.
It’s also wise to meet with your children together before they start school. Doing this as a co-parenting team lets them know you both support them and can work together for their sake. You can talk about what to expect or answer any questions your kids might have about how the divorce will affect their school life.
Stay informed on both sides
You do not have to tell your spouse every minor detail about your personal life after you’re divorced. However, regarding school events, issues that teachers might raise or anything else having to do with school, it’s only fair if both parents are in the know.
You can avoid stress by taking advantage of online calendars and other software to keep track of the school schedules and to keep both parents informed.
Co-parenting peacefully during back-to-school season
One of the best ways to help your kids adapt to a post-divorce lifestyle is to develop a strong, amicable co-parenting plan. You’ll need to resolve issues such as whether you and your ex will attend school events together or will take turns.
If a problem arises that impedes your children’s ability to function well at school, you can tap into local resources of support as needed. Many kids experience high levels of stress due to parental conflict after divorce. This is why it’s of paramount importance that you and your ex adhere to your court order and are willing to cooperate for your kids’ sake. You can bring any legal issue that arises to the court’s attention.