8 Co-Parenting Tips During COVID-19

The pandemic has been responsible for changing the course of how we live our lives over the past year or so. For parents who have to try co-parenting during a time of lockdown and restrictions, this has been made doubly difficult. Hopefully, the following co-parenting tips will help parents who are separated not only to care for their children, but also to take care of themselves.

Meet The Terms of Your Legal Agreement

Tempting though it may be to blame everything on the pandemic, you still have to show that you are meeting your legal obligations. If you are able to have a discussion with your former partner about what happens if one of you has COVID or travel restrictions are in place when you are due to take the children to them, then do so. If not, you can always ask your child custody lawyer or divorce lawyer in Melbourne for support with this.

Keep Healthy

Make sure you and your children follow all the relevant guidance and advice regarding protection against COVID-19. Washing hands and cleaning down surfaces along with appropriate face coverings and social distancing need to be consistent in each household. Separation of parents is hard enough for children, but if they know the routine is the same when with either parent, this makes it easier for them and gives you both peace of mind.

Help Out Where Possible

Both parents should be fully focussed on what is best for the children regardless of the relationship between the two adults. Due to the downturn in the economy because of COVID, there could be an impact on the jobs or earning power of one or both households. This leads to worries and concerns about meeting child support payments for example, so be aware of any financial worries in both households. If you can work out a mutually beneficial solution that ensure the children are looked after and their expenses are met, then do so or speak to your child custody lawyer.

Be Consistent

There is a lot of messaging and information about COVID-19 in the news and on social media; it will also be talked about at school and amongst your children’s friends and family. Especially for younger children living through the pandemic, the isolation from friends and close relatives can have a huge impact and it has been a frightening time. You and your co-parent need to be consistent in the way you present information and offer support to help your children through what is a very serious health challenge. You also need to be in agreement around vaccinations and other medical treatments as well.

Be Transparent

If you fall ill or have to go into self-isolation, then have a plan in place to care for the children. If both of you are ill at the same time, then agree with your ex-partner who you will be contacting for support such as grandparents or siblings. Let them know if you have come into contact with someone who has contracted COVID and do the responsible thing by sharing COVID test results with your co-parent as soon as possible.

Be Adaptable

The government will continue to provide guidance on lockdown rules, and these must be followed. Depending on which state or territory you live in, these rules can change, and you both need to be prepared to adapt to these changes. Schools or colleges may have to cancel events as well as sports clubs or any recreational group in which your children take part. Keep the dialogue going with the other parent to ensure you adapt to these changes and think about whether you can work from home so that you can care for the children. If you do not get to see your children due to lockdown rules, make sure you agree to regular video call or instant messaging communications. You can even read a bedtime story using digital channels to ensure you maintain that connection with a child.

Be Solution-Focussed

Courts are dealing with a backlog of cases as are dispute resolution services, so you may have to think about new ways to solve any problems. If you need an objective third party, then your divorce lawyer will be able to help and advise you.

Stay Positive (And we Don’t Mean your Test Result!)

You are the responsible adult and children will take their cues from you. Be patient and try to celebrate all that is good in the world today. Keep connected to friends and family in the safest way possible and enjoy the time spent with your children – you are their role model, and they will remember this long after the pandemic is over.