Covid 19… Its Effects on Families and Child Custody Issues
There’s no doubt that the Covid 19 pandemic has impacted every aspect of our lives. It’s changed the way we work, play, travel and our personal interactions. Families have been hit hard by this pandemic and its impact on their lives is huge. We all search for a balance in our work, home, family and social life, while attempting to keep some semblance of normalcy and our families safe from the virus. But the pandemic has disrupted both the traditional U.S. office model and the in-person school model as well. With one or more of the parents working from home, and many school age children doing some form of online or hybrid school it’s often impossible to maintain the regular schedule.
Child sharing routines that have normally worked for divorced parents may require changes. Those include keeping kids safe when traveling from home to home, adapting to changes in the way they learn, and handling interactions with family members and friends.
Who’s Taking Care of the Children?
There’s a new type of anxiety for parents sharing custody that’s been accelerated by the pandemic--- the possibility of exposure to the virus from non-family members that spend time with their children. You may know how your ex-spouse handles the issue, but what if the ex-spouse’s partner works in the medical community and risks exposer to covid cases or has different beliefs about vaccination?
The safety of children traveling back and forth between homes can be an issue, especially if non-family members are involved in transporting them. It’s one thing to know that your spouse is driving, but if other partners and family friends are involved, can you trust these people to follow mask and other safety protocols? What about parents who live in different states? Do your children usually fly to visit? What are the safety issues in place in the state your child is going to? Will someone fly with them? It may not the best time for children to fly alone.
How Mediation Can Help
Many court systems have been backed up or closed during parts of the pandemic, or only open for emergencies. Rules and regulations have been up and down across the country and even if parents wanted to legally modify an existing custody agreement, it might be impossible. It’s a confusing time for many. There is a way to avoid the confusion and to reach an equitable and safe solution. Mediation can help you with the issues of the new normal and those important decisions you need to make.
Mediation offers a way to work through the issues and to understand the other person’s point of view. A skilled mediator is a knowledgeable third person that leads couples through the issues, reminds them to consider the other person’s point of view and leads them to their own resolution. Through knowledge of each person’s feelings on the issues, an understanding develops that leads to an equitable decision for all.
For more than 30 years, A Fair Way Mediation has been helping couples with relationship issues to produce a positive resolution to their issues. Our mediation experience includes success with domestic partnerships, traditional marriages, same sex marriages, military marriages and alternative relationships. Mediation works equally well for non-criminal disputes such as landlord tenant, family, and HOA issues. We have successfully mediated issues throughout Palm Springs, Riverside County and San Diego.
For your convenience, we offer Zoom, Skype, video chat and in-person sessions. Mediation is a voluntary process and both parties in the relationship must be willing to try mediation. Our free 30-minute consultation with both parties involved, will help you decide if you want to try mediation. For a free evaluation, call us at 760-227-5090 or 619-702-9174. Complete an online request at www.afairway.com. Offices in Coachella Valley and San Diego.
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