Parents across the U.S. have been greatly impacted by the measures to contain Covid-19 from school closures to mandates requiring their kids to mask up in school or get a vaccination. Over the course of the last two years, divorced parents first had to cobble together new parenting time arrangements on the fly, sometimes running into problems with an ex-spouse unwilling to cooperate. More recently, parents have become divided over issues such as whether their children should be vaccinated against Covid-19 or whether their children should be home schooled if they are forced to wear a mask. Sometimes it is not about the kids, who may have already been vaccinated, but an issue of whether both the parents are vaccinated that often leads to disagreement when it comes to parenting time.
It is a reflection of the times, where information seems to be constantly evolving on the best approach where decisions made on a child’s behalf can be consequential. Both parents want what is best for their child, but may not agree on whether vaccines are safe or even necessary for their child, or whether the masking policies at their child’s school are in their child’s best interests in terms of development and overall well being. While many parents feel strongly that following government recommendations is the best approach, others may believe it is better to wait and see – both trying their level best to keep their child safe.
For parents that are divorced, who may no longer be in regular communication, the situation can be that more difficult, sometimes leading to heated exchanges and threats of child custody disputes. Although there are no easy answers when parents are divided on the issue of whether to vaccinate children or how they will respond to Covid-19 measures in general, it is certainly helpful to seek the advice of your family law attorney who can tell you where you stand on either side of the argument and proactively negotiate a parenting arrangement that that works well for your family.
Illinois Parenting Time and Covid-19 Help
When you have questions regarding your parental rights and responsibilities with regard to parenting time and parental responsibility in the era of Covid-19, contact Schlesinger & Strauss LLC for assistance at 847-680-4970.
