It’s always going to be the joy, peace, and grat It’s always going to be the joy, peace, and gratitude for me. ❤️
I'm too classy for this world, forever, I'm that g I'm too classy for this world, forever, I'm that girl. ♍️

This is 48! #happybirthday #hbd #hbdtome
Out of office email auto reply like… ✌🏾 Out of office email auto reply like… ✌🏾
Out here summering and whatnot… ☀️ Out here summering and whatnot… ☀️
Laylah and I had a girlies night out at the grand Laylah and I had a girlies night out at the grand opening of @bbtheatres in Creve Coeur. We definitely will be back soon! ✌🏾#recap #stl #stlouis #gno
When it’s 80 degrees out, and the sun is so brig When it’s 80 degrees out, and the sun is so bright so you have to squint. 😂😂😂 #stl #stlwx #spring
29 years ago today, my SONshine was born! @codismi 29 years ago today, my SONshine was born! @codismith, you are the BEST son a mom could have, and I’m so blessed to be your momma! Love you to the moon and back and then some. Enjoy your day, my Aries offspring! ♈️
I could wax poetic and get all mushy and whatnot b I could wax poetic and get all mushy and whatnot but—I won’t this time! Happy 67th Birthday, Mama! I love you! ❤️
When I was Sweet 16. #tbt #throwbackthursday When I was Sweet 16. #tbt #throwbackthursday
  • Blog
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Legal
  • Contact
  • Media Kit
  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Media Kit

The Cubicle Chick

Work. Play. Live Your Life to its Fullest Personally & Professionally

  • Home
  • Career
  • Style
  • Family
  • Travel
  • Culture

Back to School, Contributors, Kids & Parenting · September 26, 2013

Three Ways to Cooperatively Co-Parent During the School Year


Three Ways to Cooperatively Co-Parent During the School Year

How is it that back-to-school always creeps up on me? I spend the majority of the summer avoiding this truth, and all the responsibilities that come along with it. Hoping the warm rays my skin soaks in during the warmer months will make September stay far far away.

But come mid-August school paperwork starts to arrive. Backpacks and lunchboxes have to be purchased. An inspection of all clothes and shoes determines which items will live to see another day. Checklists of essential items are created. Extracurricular activities are scheduled. The calendar quickly fills with events, games, and playdates.

And so back-to-school begins.

In addition to ensuring my daughter has pants without worn knees and enough matching socks, I also have to mentally prepare myself for a school year without the involvement of my co-parent. It isn’t an easy thing to prepare for and presents significant challenges. I slightly panic thinking about how I’m going to manage getting my daughter to all of her activities, attending school events, and figuring out options during school vacation weeks.

There are so many events and activities throughout the school year – and especially September that kids want both of their parents at – if possible. In our case, our daughter has two parents who love her, but routinely find themselves in high conflict co-parenting. Our communication issues have only increased in the six years we’ve been separated, and at the end of the day it’s our daughter who misses out.

Regardless of how high conflict your co-parenting relationship is, realizing what is most important should be everyone’s focus. Or at least yours, since there is no way to control someone else. So what can you do to engage your co-parent for the benefit of your child? Below are three ways I try to do so:

Provide Opportunities –

Even though I’ve been shut down in the past, if I have a late meeting at work I ask my co-parent first if he’s available. If there is a special school event or field trip, I ask my co-parent if he’d like to attend. Sometimes he needs a nudge.

Stay Committed –

Even when the thought of your co-parent makes you want to punch something. Stay committed to the happiness of your child. This also means talking positively and often about your co-parent. Do I really want to hear about my daughter’s father’s new puppy “Gucci”? No, no, no. But she’s excited about it, and that’s what matters.

Share Information –

I don’t expect my co-parent to know our daughter’s school calendar, when she has a half day or when vacations start. Pop your child’s school calendar in the mail in September. Know when your child has a special recital or game? Send him a note (in advance). Sharing is caring.

What are some back-to-school tips you can share with other co-parents?

 Written By: Alexandra Elizabeth, TheCubicleChick.com Contributor


Related Posts

  • Back to School Style: Gap Kids & Old Navy

    The first week of school is in the record books! 5 days, 5 fab outfits!…

  • 6 Things Working Parents Can Do To Stay Involved During the School Year

    Working parents often get a bad rap for not being active enough in school activities.…

  • Encouraging Kids to Set Goals Not Resolutions for the New Year

    Parenting Contributor Prerna Malik gives 5 ways that you can help your children set goals,…

In: Back to School, Contributors, Kids & Parenting · Tagged: Alexandra Elizabeth, Back to School, co-parent, co-parenting, Contributors, education, parenting, school, Tips

join the cube

You’ll Also Love

Five Things Your Mother Was Right About
Operation Dropping My Daughter Off at College is officially official and to all the mothers who have gone through this, I salute you.Empty Nest Series: College Move-In Day
Learn how mindful play with Esme & Roy can help enhance playtime and enter to win a Amazon Echo Dot with Esme & Roy Amazon Skills.Introduce Mindful Play with Esme & Roy + Amazon Echo Dot Giveaway

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Next Post >

I’m In The Big Apple for Time to Play’s 2013 Holiday Showcase

Advertisement


Hi there! I'm Danyelle Little, a St. Louis blogger, mom & and empty-nester. This site is for those of you who like to get the best out of both worlds-personally and professionally. Learn more about me HERE!

Buy My New Holiday Novel

join the cube

Recent Posts

  • 9 Old School Black Sitcoms That Didn’t Last Long
  • This is 48: Older, Stronger, Wiser, and Better
  • 5 Discontinued 80s Fast Food Items That Came and Went
  • Five Things Your Mother Was Right About
  • The Power of Career Journaling: Unlocking Your Potential

The Cube on Facebook

Reader Favorites

Checkout my NEW podcast

Listen on Spotify
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Listen on Google Podcasts

Affiliate

Perdue Farms Special Offer

trending now

Load More Posts

instagram

Follow @thecubiclechick

It’s always going to be the joy, peace, and grat It’s always going to be the joy, peace, and gratitude for me. ❤️
I'm too classy for this world, forever, I'm that g I'm too classy for this world, forever, I'm that girl. ♍️

This is 48! #happybirthday #hbd #hbdtome
Out of office email auto reply like… ✌🏾 Out of office email auto reply like… ✌🏾
Out here summering and whatnot… ☀️ Out here summering and whatnot… ☀️
Laylah and I had a girlies night out at the grand Laylah and I had a girlies night out at the grand opening of @bbtheatres in Creve Coeur. We definitely will be back soon! ✌🏾#recap #stl #stlouis #gno
When it’s 80 degrees out, and the sun is so brig When it’s 80 degrees out, and the sun is so bright so you have to squint. 😂😂😂 #stl #stlwx #spring
29 years ago today, my SONshine was born! @codismi 29 years ago today, my SONshine was born! @codismith, you are the BEST son a mom could have, and I’m so blessed to be your momma! Love you to the moon and back and then some. Enjoy your day, my Aries offspring! ♈️
I could wax poetic and get all mushy and whatnot b I could wax poetic and get all mushy and whatnot but—I won’t this time! Happy 67th Birthday, Mama! I love you! ❤️
When I was Sweet 16. #tbt #throwbackthursday When I was Sweet 16. #tbt #throwbackthursday
To all the lovers. A little flower arrangement fro To all the lovers. A little flower arrangement from me to you for Love Day. ❤️❤️❤️ #valentines #valentinesday #love
Follow on Instagram

Work With Me

  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Media Kit

join the cube

Site Info

  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal
  • Site Disclosure

Copyright © 2023 The Cubicle Chick · Theme by 17th Avenue