The start of a new school year can create extra challenges for separated parents.
School emails, parents’ evenings, trips, clubs and important dates can easily become another source of disagreement if both parents are not receiving the same information.
Your Ex Is Not Your School Secretary
It is important that each parent takes responsibility for keeping themselves informed about their child’s education.
If you are not receiving school emails or information, contact the school directly and make sure they have your correct email address and telephone number.
Do not rely on the other parent to forward every school email, letter or reminder.
Likewise, school information should not be withheld from the other parent simply because communication between you is difficult.
Keep Children Out of the Middle
Children should not be used to pass messages between their parents.
Try to avoid asking your child to tell the other parent about parents’ evening, a school trip or a change to their timetable.
Where parents need to communicate, keeping messages short, factual and focused on the child can help reduce unnecessary conflict.
For example:
“Parents’ evening is next Thursday. The booking information has been sent by the school.”
When Parents Disagree About School
More significant issues, such as which school a child should attend or whether they should change school, can be difficult to resolve when parents disagree.
Family mediation provides parents with a neutral space to discuss these issues and consider what arrangements will work best for their child.
A new school year is a good opportunity to check that both parents are receiving the information they need and that children are not being placed in the middle of adult communication.
Forward Family Mediation helps separated parents resolve disagreements about child arrangements, school, holidays and communication.
