Shared Parenting in the Age of Coronavirus

These are, no doubt, unusual times. We’re stuck in our homes, unable to visit our friends and even our family. But what about our kids? For parents who are separated, suffice to say the coronavirus has caused some significant problems.

In Brazil, shared parenting decisions are court-ordered. Judges decide visitation schedules considering the best interests of the minor child. But how are parents supposed to follow a judge’s order when the country is on lockdown? Is it safe for a child to spend the week at mom’s house and then the weekend with dad?

In normal times, this wouldn’t be an issue. But these aren’t normal times. And there’s no law that says how shared parenting agreements should be handled during a pandemic. Even if there was a situation ripe for litigation, the courts are closed and the case would never be heard in time.

Just as judges do when they decide custody and parenting time issues, think about the best interests of the child. Would it be safer to stay with dad, who lives alone, or with mom, who lives with other family members? Maybe mom is a doctor who can’t be at home during the day while dad is around and can help with online schooling.

These are the times that parents need to act like grown-ups, work together and look out for their kids. Use video calls to catch up and stay connected. Remember that kids are suffering just as much as adults. So help them through it.