Ballet, Basketball, Cheerleading, Football oh my!!! When you have children get ready for fun and exciting school and club activities. Many times parents want to attend these events, however, the parents may no longer be together. Sometimes this is not an issue and parents can get along, but sometimes that is not the case. I have actually had to address issues with clients about how to interact with the other party at extracurricular activities. The best option for your children is for the two parents to be civil and get along so that the children are not amidst conflict. However, if you and the other party are unable to be civil with one another, the best thing you can do is avoid the other parent in order to avoid conflict or a scene. If this is not possible, you should consider at least keeping your distance and try and have others around as witnesses in case something happens. I have been in contact with coaches and other parents who were at these games and this gives a judge a better idea of what took place. So if you are simply unable to be civil with one another, try your best to avoid the other parent or make sure you have witnesses just in case something happens.
Custody & Education
As a former teacher, I saw many different family structures. The best students were the students who had active parents who were concerned with their child’s education. Sometimes these parents were not “together” but put the child’s education goals FIRST. If you are going through a custody issue with the other parent, it is best to make sure the questions and concerns you have are for your children and not for what best fits your needs. I always tell clients that you have to make sure the child’s interests are being put first because children may be young now, but they will always remember when mommy and daddy are fighting about their school.