Pandemic Co-parenting
Be kind. Be flexible. Yes, I know you are tired of hearing me say it. But now is not the time to fight a colossal battle because she got a few more hours or days with the kids than you did.
Talk to your children's other parent about important issues: what precautions are both you and your co-parent taking to keep you and your children safe? Have you and your co-parent discussed the best way to protect your kids? Even if you think your co-parent may be overreacting, his fears are real. Be transparent about what precautions you are taking in your home so that you can both feel comfortable and safe.
Some exceptional circumstances could make exercising your parenting time difficult or impossible, and it's a reality you may have to accept. If you, your children and your former spouse are young, healthy, and observing the state and federal guidelines about staying at home, handwashing and wearing masks, you should be able to transition the children from one parent to the other safely. But what happens if there are complications? For instance, what do you do if someone who is elderly or immunosuppressed or medically fragile lives in one of your homes? What if one parent is a healthcare worker who is in contact with COVID-19 patients? That is where being flexible comes in.
A pandemic is not a typical situation; it calls for patience, intention, and sacrifice. It calls for you to step up. Remember, you're dealing with children who need to feel safe. They need to see that know what you're doing, and that you are putting their welfare first. That may mean trading in-person parenting time for video chats or waves through the window. It's not perfect, and it doesn't feel good, but it's what your children need. If you are a healthcare worker, reassure your children that you are taking all proper precautions as you help people who need you.
In this time of crisis, we are all being called to sacrifice for the good of our fellow humans. Blow kisses through the window, have a virtual movie night, ask your children, to write stories, and draw pictures for you. Most importantly – be smart and keep everyone around you safe.
