Now that your children are heading back to school, it’s time for you to get back into your parenting routine as well. This might require some adjustments if you are a divorced parent sharing custody of a child.
Below are some tips you should keep in mind as you go through the school year:
- School communications: Get familiar with all of the electronic communication methods used by the school to stay in touch with parents. This includes login portals on the district’s site, as well as email newsletters, social media and anything else the district provides. This will help you get information directly rather than having to rely on your child or the other parent. Make sure the school and teachers have both parents’ email addresses.
- Communicate illnesses: Let the other parent know if your child stays home sick and communicate about any make-up work they need to complete.
- Conferences: If possible, try to attend parent-teacher conferences together. Yes, this can be awkward, especially if you don’t get along, but it will help you stay on the same page about your child’s education.
- Technology: Use shared calendars and document storage systems to make it easier to collaborate on tasks and other issues related to your child’s education. We recommend using Google drive or Google Calendar, simply due to how easy those features are to integrate with other devices and applications.
- Stay proactive: If you see your child’s grades start to slip or feel like something is wrong, talk to your child, and if necessary, the school guidance counselor or teachers. You should do everything you can to make sure your child is put into a position that allows him or her to succeed.
For more co-parenting tips during the school year, speak with a trusted Minnesota divorce and family law attorney at Appelhof, Pfeifer & Hart, P.A.