Four Tips for Juggling Responsibilities as a Divorced Parent During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Juggling Responsibilities

Across the United States, people are feeling anxious and stressed about the repercussions of the pandemic and the uncertainty of the future. This is a difficult moment, especially for parents who wonder how this will impact their children, both from an emotional and educational standpoint. Among parents, it can be especially hard on those who are divorced and feel like they are tackling it all alone. How will you balance a new school year of homeschooling or virtual learning with your own professional responsibilities? How will you carve out the time and emotional energy to make sure your child feels safe and supported in our quickly changing world? While we’re all navigating this storm without much of a roadmap, we wanted to offer our tips from the family law perspective.

  1. Follow your parenting plan as closely as possible.

While there may be some extenuating circumstances (for example, if one co-parent is a healthcare worker and risks exposure to the virus), you should do your best to follow your parenting plan as closely as possible during the pandemic. This helps you maintain a sense of normalcy for your child and ensures that both co-parents are contributing, not to mention the fact that it’s court-ordered!  

  1. Communicate with your co-parent.

Communication with your co-parent is more important now than ever before. In any instance where the pandemic makes following your parenting plan impossible, you will need to discuss how to move forward. Depending on your relationship with your co-parent, this may be difficult and stressful, but remember there’s one thing you share despite the fact that you’re no longer married: the desire to do what’s best for your child. Show them the flexibility and willingness to meet in the middle that you want them to show you.

  1. Take time for yourself.

Between caring for your children (whether it’s homeschooling, overseeing virtual learning, or making sure they are safe in an in-person school environment) and working (whether you’re working from home or adjusting to the new practice of social distancing at the office) it may feel like there’s not much time left over for you. Carve out a few moments a day to take care of yourself no matter what. Not doing so can lead to burnout. Caring for yourself is a way of caring for your children because they need you to be the best version of yourself you can be!

  1. Call us if you have questions about child support, parenting plans, or other family law issues.

Navigating family law issues in this time can be confusing, with court orders and unclear requirements. We are here to help. If you have questions about what you need to be doing or a dispute you don’t know how to solve, reach out to The Law Offices of Kayleene H. Writer, PLC today.