MIAMI – There’s no question that divorced parents will have to make some adjustments and one of the first milestones to deal with is the first day of school. As school years begin nationwide, newly divorced parents are finding that there are challenges.

Key to the smooth transition is maintaining a child-centric focus that can actually lead to a seamless and comfortable school year that will preserve a healthy dynamic for the family. With a professional team of advisors, these parents can learn to put their differences aside in the best interests of their children.

“With this child-centric focus as the foundation, divorced parents can start the process of adapting to the new rules addressing the school year,” said Harriett Fox, founder of Harriett Fox CPA. “It’s important to build a family environment that puts the child first while acknowledging that things will be different, but the goals will remain the same.”

Fox is well versed in family law and divorce proceedings as a leading forensic accountant with additional specialties in civil and commercial litigation.

She stresses that parents must first recognize that the well-being of the child is paramount and this can be attained by ongoing, respectful communications.

One of the key adjustments related to the child is having two households and recognizing how that can affect school.

“First of all, there is no longer a stigma associated with divorce,” said Fox “And it’s quite possible that the child will already have friends whose parents are divorced. Some friends may actually like the arrangement.”

Some of the adjustments, depending on the age of the child, could include:

- Who is picking the child up from school on certain days?
- How will homework be handled?
- Will each home have changes of clothes, proper food, etc.

These tasks are really no different for married couples. But the stresses associated with divorce can create problems if not addressed prior to the start of school.

When it comes to school, children will have the best chances to excel if they have good study skills, clear and consistent boundaries, and reasonable expectations from parents. And with proper modeling, parents can definitely create a happy, healthy family environment.

“The key is always to communicate and give proper notice if there is a change of plans,” added Fox. “Keep in mind, there is a need for flexibility so changes should always be made in the spirit of cooperation and in the best interests of the child.”

Fox, while not a marriage counselor, draws on decades of experience with access to the finest professionals who assist families navigate the complexities of divorce.

Some situations, while seemingly simple, can result in problems if not anticipated by parents.

“For example, let’s take homework,” said Fox. “It’s quite possible that one parent may be better at math or social studies and the child may be at the other parent’s home when the need for help arises. With today’s technology such as Facetime and Zoom the challenge can easily be solved.”

Another example is that one parent’s role may be “tucking in” the child at bed-time. This can also be accomplished by using the same technology. The same goes for “bed time” stories or even having a remote meal together.

These are typical scenarios for all families whether parents are divorced or still married.

“Parenting requires flexibility and cooperation to benefit the child and to maintain a family unit,” she said. “We want to avoid surprises with parents treating each other with respect. They should keep in mind that these new challenges should be viewed as opportunities, not burdens.”

For More Information :- https://harriettfoxcpa.com/