The start of a new school year brings excitement, fresh opportunities and a long list of responsibilities. For co-parents, it may also mean new scheduling challenges from coordinating school pick-ups to deciding who attends parent-teacher conferences.
Successful co-parenting often requires more communication and planning during the school year than any other time of the year. No co-parenting relationship is perfect, but by avoiding common mistakes you can help reduce conflict and create a more stable environment for your child.
1. Failing to review the parenting plan before school starts
Whether this is your first school year since your separation or you’ve been co-parenting for a few years, the start of a new school year often changes daily routines.
Before school begins, you and your co-parent should review the parenting plan together and consider questions such as:
- Who is responsible for drop-offs and pick-ups?
- How will transportation be handled if your child participates in after-school activities?
- What happens if school is canceled due to inclement weather?
If your current arrangement no longer reflects your family needs, you may need to petition the court for a custody modification.
2. Creating different rules for each household
While your households don’t need to be identical, it’s essential to remember that children generally benefit from consistency. Co-parents should agree on areas involving:
- Homework
- Bedtimes
- Screen time
- Attendance
- Morning routines
Having the same expectations across households can reduce confusion and help children adjust more easily.
3. Ignoring school communications
Both parents have a responsibility to stay informed about their child’s education. This means keeping track of school calendars, homework expectations, behavioral concerns and extracurricular schedules.
Many school districts allow both parents to receive electronic communications from the school. Staying informed allows both parents to stay involved in their child’s education.
Most back-to-school issues can be resolved through communication and cooperation. However, some disagreements are more serious. You may need to speak with a legal professional if you and your co-parent can’t agree on issues such as school choice, parenting schedules or other problems involving custody or decision-making authority.
