A new academic year is underway and with every new school year comes a new list of challenges your child may endure. A child with divorced parents may face his or her own unique challenges. For parents, being well equipped on how to approach this school year can lead to successful academic outcomes for your child.
Plan Ahead and Communicate.
Planning can be an effective tool to lessen any potential conflict that may arise between you and your co-parent. This can range from small things, such as who is going to purchase school supplies for the child, to large things such as where the child is going to attend school. Start the conversation early so you have more time to work out any disagreements. Planning who is going to take the child to and from school, what the child is going to wear each day, and what activities the child is going to participate in can help promote positive structure and stability for the child. Open communication with your co-parent can help lead to academic success for your child.
Maintain Structure and Consistency with Homework.
This includes communication with your child’s teachers and household policies on homework. Having consistent rules that both parents agree to follow can be beneficial to a child’s academic success. For a younger child, both parents may agree to a detailed procedure for when homework is done each day. They may want to revisit the schedule as the child grows so that it is well suited for that child’s needs. For an older child, parents may agree to allow the child to have more control over their own homework schedule. Overall, it is important for children to have similar expectations in both households when it comes to homework.
Keep an Active Watch Over Your Child.
Keep an active watch over your child for any warning signs that indicate your child needs help. Your child could be hiding signs of stress, depression, and anxiety that could negatively affect performance in school. You may want to speak with your child’s teacher and explain to them that you are divorced, so that they understand the family dynamic. They are also able to keep a close watch over your child to see if there are any indicators that they need help.
Stay Involved.
When scheduling parent-teacher conferences, both parents may choose to attend the meeting together. Other parents may agree to schedule separate conference times to speak with the teacher. Every family is different, so you may have to figure out what works best for your child and his or her needs. Maintaining involvement with your child’s teachers can lead to academic success for your child. If appropriate for your particular family, both parents may want to be listed as an emergency contact for their child’s school. Having both parents involved and in the loop regarding their child’s schooling can help demonstrate to the child that both parents are there to support them no matter what. Overall, fostering effective, open communication with your co-parent, staying involved with your child’s school, and keeping your child’s best interests in mind can help to promote a successful academic year.
If you or someone you know is in need of legal counseling, contact one of Hatcher Law Group’s experienced family law attorneys today.