Divorcing with children means that parents need to determine, whether on their own or through the court, how parenting time will look like. For many parents in Pennsylvania, this means shared time through a joint custody agreement. Co-parenting has become the norm; however, with the ever-changing situation in the U.S. and across the glob, the dynamics of co-parenting is also changing. With some parents required to work from home, this alters the availability of a parent when it comes to completing their work and providing necessary childcare, especially if school has shifted to a hybrid or remote setting.
Co-parenting during remote schooling
For some students, they were able to start their school year in person or a hybrid version; however, for those going through virtual learning or having their school switch to virtual learning partway during the school, this can present issues for parents with work obligations. This is an even more challenging issue to navigate when parents are divorced.
Collaboration and adjusting child custody
When parents must decide who will stay home with the children and school them, this can give cause to develop a temporary custody order. This is especially true if one parent will now have the children more often than the other. This requires much collaboration, as it not only means reaching an agreeable solution that meets the best interests of the children but also considers the schedules and work obligations of both parents.
When developing a temporary order, there should be room for flexibility and a date where the order will be revisited. This can help ensure that if school resumes to in-person or evolves into a hybrid version, parenting time will be adjusted accordingly.
While it can take much time and effort to reach a workable and agreeable parting plan, the grim reality is that it is more likely than not that the order will need to be revisited and altered. Now, more than ever, parents are exploring their rights and options when it comes to navigating these unexpected issues. Thus, it is imperative that one understands how best to move forwards with these matters, protecting their rights and keeping the best interests of their children as a focal point.