Co-Parenting During the COVID-19 Crisis
Some parents may have worked out their difficulties and found co-parenting working for them before COVID-19. With the pressure of keeping children safe from infection, parents may find that they have very different approaches. One parent may strictly follow established rules of social distancing, not allowing group activities, requiring their children to wear masks, and follow other Texas state and county recommendations.
The other parent may be less strict and allow children to play with other children, visit in the homes of their friends, and be somewhat lax about social distancing. These differences in parenting styles can cause friction that is difficult for the parents to handle.
Shelter in Place Rules Upend Co-Parenting Possession Agreements
Shelter in place rules envision sheltering in one place and not traveling about. Texas schools are closed for the remainder of the school year and children are being schooled at home. This has created challenges during court-mandated exchanges of possession.
Creativity may be required so that parents with whom children are not sheltered can spend time with their children. In the best interest of the children, this may need to be visits via Zoom or Facetime with postponements of face-to-face time together until the COVID-19 crisis is diminished. It also means that parents will need to improve their communication so that they can pull together to protect their children.
Transparency Between Parents is Important
Even if parents do not agree on everything about how to handle co-parenting during the COVID-19 crisis, they can at least agree to be transparent and keep each other informed. For example, at the time the parents exchange the children, the parent who has had possession can tell the other parent:
- Who the child has been around?
- Where has the child visited?
- Was anyone there sick?
- Did they find out later that somebody got sick?
- Has the child exhibited any unusual physical symptoms?
- Has the parent taken the child to a health care provider during their possession?
Because this is a life and death situation, parents must try to put aside their differences and be willing to be transparent concerning their children.
For More Information About Divorce and Co-Parenting Contact an Experienced Dallas Family Law Attorney. To schedule a free initial consultation with a Dallas Family Law Attorney, contact Paula Lock Smyth Law Offices at 214-420-1800.
Paula Lock Smyth has practiced law in Texas since 1985, focusing on Family Law, Probate, Mediation, and Collaborative Divorce. She is a trained mediator, seasoned litigator, and one of the early adopters of Collaborative Divorce in Texas. Paula is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the College of the State Bar and the Texas Bar Foundation and has served as Past President of Dallas Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers. She was a Master in the Annette Stewart Inn of Court and is a Charter Member of the Collaborative Law Institute of Texas. Her legal knowledge and decades of experience make her a trusted voice on matters that impact families across Dallas and surrounding counties.
