The following tips for co-parenting during the COVID-19 pandemic were provided by Stacey Shuster, Ph.D. with commentary added. I have never worked with Dr. Shuster but these are tips you may find useful.
- Talk to your children's father and find out if he has been in contact with anyone diagnosed with the Coronavirus.
- Discuss with kinds of children's activities you both are comfortable with. But, activities for your children are necessary or you will all drive each other crazy. You both must be reasonable. For example, biking or walking should be okay so long as you social distance.
- Are you both comfortable with paid caregivers watching the children? If so, you'll want to confirm that the caregivers are healthy and have not been exposed to the Coronavirus.
- Make sure to have an agreed-upon custody schedule. And, if no agreement is possible, default to your current custody agreement.
- You'll want to either conduct this discussions with the father in writing via email or text or confirm a verbal agreement via email or text. These writings may be useful later in court should a disagreement arise.
Please click on the link below to see Dr. Shuster’s recommendations in greater detail. And, contact our office at 415-635-0411 to schedule a zoom meeting or phone call with Mr. Nathan to answer any additional questions you may have concerning co-parenting during the COVID-19 pandemic.