AS COVID-19 continues to change the way we operate our daily lives, we will be challenged as individuals and parents. With court closures, school closures, and social distancing we must all come together and help our children remain calm and acclimate them to the changing times during a worldwide epidemic. We encourage coparents to practice social distancing without destroying their relationship with the other parent.

We at Dadvocacy® have handled timesharing issues during Hurricanes before, but this is something no one has dealt with before. We have put together a list to help you as you navigate your co-parenting relationship while keeping your child’s best interest at the forefront during COVID-19. Safety and health should be at the forefront of all decision.

1. Now is not the time to demand strict adherence to the timesharing schedule. As schools, restaurants, place of businesses are closed or closing it is best to minimize exchanges of the child(ren).
2. If there is a curfew implemented in your area, then make an agreement with the coparent to avoid being out during said times.
3. Understand that although there is no school, consistency and stability is the best thing for your child so try and continue the timesharing rotation already in place. However, exercising due care during this time takes precedent of any court ordered timesharing schedule.
4. Focus on developing a safety plan for your child and work with your co-parent to discuss the options. Every place of employment has been impacted and it is time for you and your coparent to work together and figure out a timesharing schedule most conducive to your family.
   • If you or your coparent works in the medical field, please do not penalize one another for longer shifts or needed rest.
   • If you or your coparent works in the restaurant or retail business, especially an establishment providing necessities to people please let them pick up extra shifts in order to allow them to provide extra help to our community.
   • We ask the parents do not capitalize on the influx in hours and waive any financial credit for it in the future.
5. Both parties should make sure that they have all health insurance cards and policy information available for minor child(ren).
6. Do not involve police in timesharing disputes when there is no true emergency as all our resources should be spared in this time of need. Emergency response teams should be focused on keeping the general population safe.
7. Ensure that all your child(ren)’s homework and classwork is complete. One parent should not bare all the burden. We recommend continuing your child’s routine during this time.
8. Share the cost of emergency supplies and expenses for your child(ren) and help your coparent if they need anything as your child(ren) will be at the coparents house as well.
9. Continue to promote clean hygiene and social distancing during your timesharing.
10. If possible, do not argue with your co-parent or panic, especially in the presence of your child(ren). Remember that you are modeling calm, sensible behavior that helps your child(ren) learn how to deal with matters in time of crisis.

As of right now most hearings are telephonic and no judge is going to entertain a hearing over timesharing issues during Covid-19 so long as the decisions made during the emergency circumstances were reasonable—even if they interfered with the timesharing and access schedule.