- Schedule a meeting with the school
- Arrange a meeting with your child’s teacher to explain the situation.
- Keep the meeting brief
- Maintain a child focused meeting and briefly explain that the parents are separated. Emphasize your primary concern is making sure that the child’s educational experience remains positive.
- Sharing personal details about the separation is not necessary unless it is relevant to the child’s behaviour or academic performance.
- Set out communication protocol
- Let the teacher know the best ways and times to reach each parent.
- If it is necessary, require that important communications are sent to both parents separately to avoid any misunderstandings.
- Discuss any pressing concerns or issues
- If there have been any changes in your child’s behaviour because of the separation, mention these so the teacher can monitor and support your child.
- Let the teacher know the pick up and drop off arrangements for your child which may include parenting arrangements that might affect school attendance or participation in school events.
- Ask for feedback
- Ask the teacher to keep a watchful eye on your child’s school performance, emotional health and social interaction, and to let both parents know of any concerns should they arise.
- Parents’ commitment
- Let the teacher know that both parents are committed to their child’s education and well-being and that the teacher can contact either or both parents with any concerns.
- Keep a close eye
- Check in with the teacher from time to time as required to discuss your child’s progress and any additional or other support the child may need. If it is possible for both parents to meet with the teacher that is advisable. Avoid placing the teacher in a position where he or she feels they have to align with one parent over the other – this does not help the child.
- Keep the teacher updated on any family or parenting changes.
Treating these conversations delicately will serve to protect and support the child and give teachers the necessary understanding to provide a supportive and positive school environment. Family Law Lawyers can help clients approach these conversations by guiding the parents on how to organize this transition to ensure stability, consistency and routine.