While we hate to be the bearer of bad news, it’s almost time for the kids to go back to school. It’s already happened in some school districts. This is often a stressful time for kids and parents alike, but it can be especially hard on newly divorced dads.
The new school year arrives with many challenges. Kids have to deal with new classmates, new teachers, and maybe even new schools. It takes time to settle into the schedule and routine. At best, doing homework every night again takes some getting used to.
Even though it’s often challenging, the new school year also arrives with potential and possibilities. The kids make new friends and learn new things.
For newly divorced dads, it’s also a wonderful opportunity to get more involved in your child’s life and strengthen your relationship.
This is important all the time, but especially following a divorce. You may not have the chance to spend as much time with your kids as before, so it’s vital to make the most of it.
You may be new to this whole divorced dad thing, or you may be an old pro. Either way, here are some tips and pointers to help kick off the new school year right.
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1. Update Your Contacts
The school must be able to get ahold of parents in case of emergencies. If you’re a recently divorced dad, you need to update your contact information.
Check that the administration has your current phone number, address, email, and emergency contacts. Let them know about the recent split and make sure they’re aware of any custody restrictions.
Most schools need to know who is authorized, or not authorized depending on the circumstances, to pick up students. You’ll likely have to update them on your schedule and any alterations throughout the year.
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2. Introduce Yourself To New Teachers
Outside of you, your ex, and immediate family members, teachers are often the most prominent adults in a child’s life. They see your kids every day and it’s important to have open lines of communication.
It’s nice to have a face to put to a name when the kids talk about teachers. But it also helps you keep tabs on your children’s progress, track any behavioral issues, and get a general idea of how they’re doing. Divorced dads need to keep tabs on how their kids adjust to the new normal.
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3. Divorced Dads, Communicate With Your Kids
While it’s important to talk to your children’s teachers, it’s also important for divorced dads to talk with their kids.
You’ve been through a tough time, but so have they. A new school year and a new family situation are a lot to deal with. It’s key to take the time to ask how they feel about school, about the split, and anything else. If they’re used to open communication with you, they’re less likely to keep things bottled up.
The more you know, the better you can assess their needs and tell if they’re having problems. Being there to help guide them through tough times strengthens the bond you share.
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4. Take an Active Role
New custody arrangements and living situations can be tricky for divorced dads. Not seeing your kids as much represents a big change. When you have limited time, do what you can to enhance what you have.
Get involved and take an active role. Maybe your daughter’s soccer team needs an extra coach. Or maybe you can lend a hand painting sets for your son’s school play. It may be as simple as checking in and asking how the new school year is going.
There are countless ways to play a part at home, at school, or with extracurricular activities.
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5. Coordinate With Your Ex
This one often gets tough for newly divorced dads. You may never want to see your ex again, but that’s not an option when you have kids.
Navigating shared custody and co-parenting gets complicated in the best situations. And the kids going back to school makes things even more difficult. You and your ex also need to arrange pick-ups and drop-offs, daycare and babysitters, and any after-school activities.
Fortunately, there are many online tools and apps to help coordinate. Some parents set up a shared calendar to track visitation and important events like games, performances, and parent-teacher conferences.
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6. Establish A Consistent Back to School Schedule
Setting a schedule, and sticking to it, often proves comforting to kids in a tumultuous time. It’ll probably do divorced dads some good, too.
Knowing where they’re going to be, and when, provides consistency and structure for kids. Try eating dinner at the same time every night, set aside a particular time to work on homework, and even keep a steady bedtime.
When you and your ex hash out the specifics, share this information with the kids. That way they know who’s going to pick them up from football or shuttle them to piano lessons.
Divorce can create anxiety and confusion for kids, but stability and routine can help them cope and get back to feeling normal again. There’s bound to be some fluctuation, but try to maintain a steady schedule when you can.
After months of blissful freedom, going back to school is often jarring for kids. And parents, too. Like most aspects of a child’s life, divorce only complicates this further. It’s not always easy for newly divorced dads to make the transition, but there are strategies you can use to prepare for this hectic time of year.
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Comments 1
Thank you for the advice on how to better establish a consistent schedule. I know with my and my divorce, everything that seemed consistent with my life kind of fell apart and it was difficult; however, keeping a schedule was one thing that would definitely keep you on track. Just like you said, keeping yourself busy and proving to your kids that you are still organized and put together is a great way to show them that you are doing okay. Thanks again!