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A young girl putting a book into her backpack for school

Back to School and Child Custody

Getting Back into Education Mode

The start of a new school year is an exciting time for children and parents alike. However, it can also be a time of stress and anxiety, especially for parents sharing custody of their children. If you are a parent with a child custody arrangement in place, there are some things you can do to make the transition back to school smoother for yourself and your child.

Plan Ahead

One of the most important things you can do is to plan. Talk to your child's other parent about the schedule and try to stick to it as closely as possible. This way, your child will know what to expect and won't have to worry about last-minute changes. You should also talk to your child's teacher about your custody arrangement and make sure they are aware of who is authorized to pick up your child from school.

If you share custody with the child's other parent, you will need to coordinate with the other parent to make sure that both of you are on the same page when it comes to homework, extracurricular activities, and bedtime. It's important to be flexible and communicate openly with each other to avoid any confusion or conflict.

Be Flexible to Change

The child custody back-to-school season can be a time of big changes. A child’s schedule may change, they might switch schools, or there might be a new person in their life. As a parent, it’s important to be flexible and open to these changes. Your child is going through a lot, and they need your support.

Your schedule may change, too. If you have joint custody, you might need to adjust your work schedule or find child care for when your child is with their other parent. Be prepared for these changes and try to make the transition as smooth as possible for your child.

Communicate and Coordinate

Talk to your child’s other parent about back-to-school plans early on. This will help avoid any confusion or last-minute changes. If you can, sit down with the other parent and create a schedule that works for everyone involved. This schedule should include things like school drop-off and pick-up times, extracurricular activities, and homework time.

Speak with an Attorney

If you are having difficulty getting your former spouse to uphold your custody arrangement as back-to-school season approaches, know that you have options to ensure their compliance. At Assalone Lombardi, LLC, whether you need to enforce a custody order or are preparing to negotiate a custody order, we can help. When it takes a village to solve your legal matters, we can be that village.


Learn more about how we can help with child custody matters in Rhode Island or schedule a consultation by calling (401) 589-5599 or by visiting our website.

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