Back to School Post-Divorce: What to Expect and Prepare for This School Year if You’re Recently Divorced
Back to School Post-Divorce: What to Expect and Prepare for This School Year if You’re Recently Divorced
The summer is racing by, and the start of the school year is right around the corner! Like it or not, now is the time to start prepping for the new school year. New routines are always stressful, but this is especially true if you have recently gone through a divorce. Adjusting to new schedules – and potentially new schools and new friends – can be tough on kids. Fortunately, there are a few tips you should know and things you can do to make the transition easier for your children – and for yourself.
First things first, school sign-ups are coming up! In most counties, you must register a student for school before September 1st, but keep in mind schools in Georgia typically start in early August. By staying on top of the deadlines, you can make sure your child doesn’t fall behind. Moreover, many retail stores have already begun putting out school supplies – and the tax-free holiday falls on the weekend of July 31-August 1 this year. If you’re concerned about your post-divorce budgeting, this can be a great way to get your children the school supplies they need at a discount!
Second, kids thrive on routine and stability. Having a consistent schedule and clear expectations with your co-parent can alleviate a lot of the stress that your child feels as you and your former spouse separate. It can be hard to be civil with your ex after a tumultuous divorce but do your best to maintain a working relationship with your co-parent (a Marietta divorce mediation attorney can help). Your ex will always be your child’s parent – and it’s your responsibility to put your child’s wellbeing first. Taking the kids to school together on the first day can also show your child that both of their parents are still in their corner – even if they’re no longer married to each other.
Finally, having a shared online family calendar can make all the difference in providing crystal clear communication and organization post-divorce. This allows both you and your co-parent to be on the same page about homework and important deadlines so there’s no miscommunication about what needs to be done or when. These calendars can also help instill healthy organization habits for your children now and in the future.
All in all, the important thing to remember is that your child’s well-being comes first. It can be easy to fall into old, unhealthy communication patterns with your ex, but building and sustaining a civil working relationship with your co-parent is key to developing happy and healthy children of divorce.
Co-parenting can be tough, and if you find that your ex-spouse is not upholding their end of the deal, you have options. Give our Georgia family lawyers at the Gentry Law Firm a call at (770) 425-5573 for more.
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