Raising a family doesn’t stop when a marriage does. Co-parenting in a cooperative and mutually beneficial way should be the goal of couples who’ve ended their relationship. Dealing with day-to-day things like school runs and trips can be relatively easy. We’ve got plenty of tips on things such as morning routines [1] and the importance of constructive discipline for children [2].
Things get trickier, however, when you stray into matters such as who looks after the child/children and when. Things get even trickier when money is factored into the equation. Before we give you some tips on how to tackle big picture issues, let’s think about the day-to-day stuff.
Family Activities as a Single Parent
Doing things separately as parents doesn’t mean your children have to miss out. You can do all manner of things with your children, including these fun activities:
• A day trip to the zoo, seaside, or an activity centre.
• Parent/child swimming classes.
• Show your child the wonders of reading with a trip to the library.
• Play sports such as football, netball, tennis, or gymnastics. Or go to watch a sporting event.
• Spending time with other members of your family so your children know they have multiple support networks.
Those are just some of the things you can do with your children as a single parent. As important as it is to do something enriching, the way you do it is more important. Here are three things to keep in mind when you’re planning an activity:
1. Time Management: Make sure your ex-partner knows when you’re going to arrive, how long the activity is going to last, and when you’re going to be home. Whatever schedule you agree on, stick to it.
2. Preparation is Key: It doesn’t matter if you’re sending off your children to spend time with their mum/dad or you’re the one hosting, be prepared. Make sure the children have everything they need for the day. From food and drink to suitable clothing.
3. Communication: Keep your ex-partner in the loop at all times. If anything changes, either intentionally or unintentionally, tell them as soon as you can to avoid any unnecessary stress.
Solicitors Can Guide You Towards Harmonious Agreements
Handling the day-to-day stuff is important, but so too are bigger picture issues such as custody, access rights, and financial commitments. In most cases, you’ll need the help of experts to ensure everyone gets what they’re entitled to.
Child law solicitors cover all aspects of a child’s life post-divorce, from child maintenance payments [3] and custody to special orders. For example, when it comes to child maintenance, the goal is to reach an agreement in the most efficient, cost-effective, and harmonious way. Child law solicitors can advise you on income percentages, previous financial commitments, and future costs. It’s not an exact science, but an initial set of expectations sets the tone.
Solicitors can also oversee these discussions and offer advice throughout the process. Then, once an agreement has been reached, they’ll draw up the necessary legal documents. This, in theory, means both parties are happy with the outcome. They can do the same for other legal matters, including custody and access rights.
The message here is simple: let the lawyers handle big picture issues so you can deal with the day-to-day aspects of raising your children. Get this right, and you’ll give your family the best chance of thriving after a divorce.
Further Reading
1. School morning routines
2. Why discipline matters
3. Child maintenance guidelines
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