Try to keep your child’s ordinary routine in place

Daily routines are upside down at the moment, now that schools are closed and many of us are working from home. To give your children a sense of stability and structure during the day, it can help to keep your child’s routine as close to normal as possible. For example, sticking to the usual times to do homework and have meals together. You should also try to stick to the usual routine for spending time with their other parent. 

Keep your kids in the loop

This is a scary time for many children, especially younger ones who aren’t able to understand why their routine is so different. They may need more reassurance than usual, and this applies to changes in family life too. Try to keep your children in the picture, explaining changes to arrangements and managing their expectations as much as possible. Invite them to share any worries, even if it’s in relation to the other parent. Opening up and talking through fears and concerns can make your child feel much better about the situation.

If someone develops symptoms, you must follow self-isolation guidance

This may mean that one parent ends up with the lion’s share of childcare for the duration of the self-isolation period, as children can no longer travel between households. If this is the case, try to facilitate as much contact with the other parent as possible – through phone calls, video chats and messages.

Everyone is going to need to be flexible

This is a changeable and highly unusual situation, so the normal rules of co-parenting won’t necessarily apply. Parents will need to work harder to compromise, give and take and cooperate with their ex-partner. It may be tough for a while, but if you can both keep your children’s wellbeing at the forefront of your minds, you’ll get through it.

What should you do if one parent doesn’t stick to the agreement, or communication breaks down?

Patience and trust are essential during these trying times, so parents need to find ways to talk to each other and negotiate difficulties and disagreements. For example, it may be that one party can’t stick to access arrangements for self-isolation reasons, and the other parent will simply have to take their word for it.

But if one parent repeatedly fails to honour agreements, or communication fails altogether, there is help and support available. Speaking to your divorce solicitor can be very helpful if you need legal advice, and you can also get support from relationship services such as Relate.

If you have questions or need support with co-parenting, divorce or other family matters, give Wirral divorce solicitor Tracey Miller Family Law a call on 0151 515 3036 or 07795 060 211.