A custody dispute could arise at any time. They are seasonless. They have no understanding of the economy. Whatever the circumstance, they always seem to arise. Parents are always at odds with their children. Since the beginning of divorce, they have been doing it. Since the beginning, they have been doing it. As parents compete for positions, custody disputes will always arise. With children, they vie for a place. There is more flexibility in the summer. Avoid custody issues before school starts.
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There is more structure once classes begin. Divorced spouses are constantly dealing with issues. There is an effective agent at work. You want to draw forth your child’s positive traits. On restriction, you ease up. You fail to do your schoolwork as a result of the process. The child returns to the parent with unfinished business. Divergent interests exist. You may help by distributing the workload. They should allot the same amount of time for homework on each visit from the other parent to the children. For children who are lagging in their academics, both parents can help.
The public school population in recovery.
For public schools, enrollment figures must be considered financially. The state allocates cash to school districts based on the number of students enrolled. In Michigan, there are around 1.4 million public school students in grades pre-K through 12. The number of students on the state’s roster increased by 5,800 during the 2022-2023 school year. In the first year of the epidemic, there were around 62,000 fewer pupils. Michigan’s population has been declining for more than a decade. This was also seen in student enrollment. Enrollment declined by 0.8% each year over that period. Almost 20,000 students left Michigan’s public schools to attend private schools or homeschool. This is a more than twofold rise over the previous year. Across the state, school teaching is once more delivered in person. Fewer departures seem to be occurring. more pupils are returning. In 2021, fewer than 10,000 students transferred to private or home schools from Michigan’s public schools. That is a sharp decline from the previous year. Still, it is superior to pre-pandemic levels. It appears that more 2020 graduates are coming back to school than in the past.
Reversing trends in public education.
These trends may be beginning to improve for new cohorts of students who are still in college. The number of candidates participating in teacher preparation programs around the state has increased over the past several years. There has also been an increase in their diversity. These modifications are in response to the significant efforts and investments that the governor, state legislature, and Michigan Department of Education have made recently. It has enhanced and diversified the teaching workforce.
What should we be expecting for this school opening in Michigan?
School is always beckoning us. Each year offers a new heightened excitement for parents and children alike. Each year offers new trends and new programs. As the school year approaches, divorced parents have to navigate custody arrangements. Adjusting parenting time and synchronizing parenting schedule with school and work. Some tasks will be the same stuff. The new stuff will add up to new talking points once you get down to discussing custody and parenting time.
Coordination of school supplies and expenses.
One of the tedious tasks of school opening is coordinating school supplies. Managing the expenses that go with it. Once you get all the expenses summed up you will have to communicate it to the co-parent. You’ll be sharing the cost of textbooks, uniforms, school fees, and other supplies. A good agreement on cost-sharing can help avoid conflicts later. It helps to get your child prepared for the school year.
Communication with school staff.
Prepare to talk to the school after you organize your child’s school stuff. Make sure your school knows about your custody arrangement. Give both of your contact information. Request teachers to communicate with you and your co-parent. You need to share updates. Exchange information such as report cards, parent-teacher conferences, and school events.
Establishing consistent routines.
The well-being of children depends on consistency. Set up a schedule for schoolwork. Establish bedtime rituals. Accept the adoption of similar schedules in both houses. It guarantees that you stick to your schedule. It will facilitate children’s transition into the school routine.
Coordinating extracurricular activities.
Expect a lot of talk about your child’s extracurricular activities. There are related expenses involved in these activities. Coordinate with your co-parent to discuss your child’s preferences and interests. It’s better to agree on what activities your child can be involved in. Don’t forget to talk about the task of shuttling and carpooling. The responsibility of transporting your child to and from extracurricular events.
Handling school functions together.
Whenever possible, consider attending school functions together as co-parents. Presenting yourselves united for your child is reassuring for your child. Do it with parent-teacher conferences and school performances.
Managing conflicts amicably.
There will be conflicts every now and then for sure. Manage them amicably. Do it away from your child. Avoid arguing in front of the child. Find another schedule for it. Resolve it in another place.
Sharing a joint calendar.
With the available technology in smartphones today, sharing calendars should be quick. A joint calendar ensures both parents are aware of significant dates. Plan with ease.
Supporting open communication with your child.
Encourage your child to openly communicate with both parents about their school experiences and concerns. Ensure that your child feels comfortable sharing their feelings and experiences with each parent without fear of judgment or criticism.
Seek legal guidance if needed.
If you encounter significant challenges or conflicts related to school opening and custody matters, consider seeking legal guidance from an experienced family law attorney in Michigan. They can help you understand your rights, mediate disputes, and provide valuable advice on navigating custody matters.
With the school year kicking off, it’s important that co-parents be proactive. Communicate effectively. Work together to make sure the academic year passes smoothly. Commit to addressing potential issues with patience, empathy, and respect for your co-parent. Your child seeing you working together will provide emotional stability. It builds trust with your child reinforcing the belief you will always be there.
What are the common back-to-school challenges of divorced parents?
The start of a new school year can be a stressful time for any parent. It can be especially challenging for divorced parents. There are back-to-school challenges that divorced parents face, including:
Communicating with the other parent.
You may no longer be in the mood for talking after a divorce. It can be hard talking to your ex-spouse after a judgment of divorce. This becomes even more difficult if you are not cordial. Most people are not really big in the talking aspect of their relationship. Some make it worse by simply opening their mouths. It’s school time. You need to talk with the other parent. Talk about your child’s school schedule. Discuss extracurricular activities. You can’t plan if you’re not even talking to each other. There is a lot to talk about when you’re preparing for school opening. Find time. Talk to your co-parent. Here are some tips to take:
- Choose a time. Find a place to talk. Be calm and relaxed.
- Set ground rules for the conversation. No interrupting. No name-calling.
- Focus on the issue at hand and avoid bringing up past disagreements.
- Listen to the other parent’s point of view. Try to see things from their perspective.
- Be willing to compromise. Find solutions that work for both of you.
Follow these tips. Make it easier to communicate with your co-parent. Ensure that your child has a smooth transition back to school.
Making decisions about your child’s education.
Parents may have different ideas about what is best for their child’s education. It will be so different after a divorce. During marriage, it seems easy to get a consensus on these things. There can be a lot of mini-decisions about extracurricular activities. Every item on your list seems to need a separate agenda. Co-parents must put aside any lingering emotions from the divorce. Focus solely on the child’s best interests. Involve a mediator or an education consultant if you have to. They can provide valuable insights. They can help in reaching a mutually agreeable decision. There are other mini-decisions parents need to make. These decisions can include:
- What time will the child wake up? What time do you go to bed?
- What will the child eat? What for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?
- What will the child wear to school?
- What will the child do after school?
- How will the child get to and from school?
These mini-decisions may seem small. It is important for parents to make these decisions together. Be consistent with their expectations.
Managing your child’s emotions.
Pain, sadness, joy, and happiness. Children feel all these emotions. They do so in different doses. In many moments of their lives. The experience is personal. We can’t take them back once we feel them. We cannot experience it for them. Teach your children to acknowledge them. Embrace them. Teach them to cope. Help their children manage their emotions by doing these:
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Pay attention to your child’s emotions.
Pay attention to your child’s emotions. Any child may experience stress when starting a new school year. It could cause your children a lot of stress. These children could be feeling a range of emotions. Be mindful of your child’s feelings. Inquire about their feelings. This will make it easier for you to comprehend what your child is experiencing. Give them the help they need.
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Validate your child’s emotions.
Children may experience a range of feelings as they return to school. They may be feeling joy, apprehension, grief, or rage. Even if you disagree with your child’s feelings, you ought to respect that emotion. Let your child know that it’s okay to feel what they’re feeling. You may say something along the lines of, “I know you’re feeling nervous about going back to school. That’s okay. A lot of kids feel nervous about starting a new school year.” Your child may be feeling anxious about returning to school.
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Help your child develop coping skills.
Exercise is a great way to relieve stress. Improve their mood. Encourage your child to take part in activities. Look for things they enjoy. There are many choices like running, biking, or playing sports. There are many different relaxation techniques to help children cope with stress. Some examples include deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and visualization. You can teach your child these techniques. Find resources online. Read books. Encourage them to talk to a trusted adult if your child struggles to cope with their emotions. Point them to a teacher, counselor, or therapist. Talking about their feelings can help. It allows them to process feelings in a healthy way.
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Be patient and understanding.
Children may require some time to learn how to handle their emotions in a healthy manner. It is critical for parents to be patient with their children. Be patient with their children while they learn to manage their emotions. They are starting a new academic year. Anyone can have a tough period. They can be nervous about making new acquaintances. Concerned about being away from home for extended periods of time. They could be getting used to a new teacher or classroom. Let them know you’re there for them and that you believe in them. This could include listening to them express their emotions or giving them a hug.
Being present might be all your child needs. Remember that they are still learning. They are finding a way to cope with their emotions in a healthy way. Children learn by watching the adults in their lives. Your child can learn how to be patient and understanding. Model these qualities for them.
Dealing with financial issues.
There are factors the court considers when deciding on financial support for a child after a divorce. These factors include the parents’ incomes, the child’s needs, and the child’s standard of living. Parents may be unable to agree on financial support. They may need to seek the help of a mediator or parenting coordinator. A mediator is a neutral third party who can help the parents to communicate and reach an agreement. A parenting coordinator is a neutral third party helping the parents to co-parent after divorce.
Divorce is never pleasant. When children are involved, the situation may become even more complicated. Don’t be afraid to seek advice from your divorce attorney. Talk to your child’s school while you negotiate the ups and downs of your divorce. Most schools are willing to work with families who do not get along. Who needs two copies of the documents? Who may need financial support as a result of their new family arrangement? Your divorce judgment specifies which parent may not pick up your child from school. Notify the school so that all staff are aware of the situation.
The declining pool of prospective Michigan teachers.
We got some updates from the Education Policy Innovation Collaborative or EPIC. This is from the report stemming from new research being done by Michigan State University. The study looks at how college students choose the courses to enroll in. Those who finished their studies more recently are less likely to take teacher education courses. This does not bode well for our educational system. By 2014–15, about 15.1% of Michigan high school grads who enrolled in college in 2010–11 had taken an education course. In 2021–2022, only 12.7% of students who began college in 2017–18 took an education course. 77% of those who did an introductory teacher education course took more specialized courses in this field. Of that number, Only around 25% of them went on to become student teachers. There are candidates completing a teacher preparation program and receiving a teacher certification. They are more likely to accept positions in Michigan’s public school system. They tend to remain in the profession longer. Michigan is losing Black teaching candidates at the highest rates during preparation. Those who do become certified are more likely than any other group to work in Michigan public schools. Black teachers also have the highest rates of persistence in the profession. They have been over the first five years after becoming certified to teach. 44% remain teachers for at least five years. This is in contrast to about 38% of newly certified white and Latino or Latina teachers. Also in contrast to 20% of newly certified Asian teachers.
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