Helping Your Kids Cope With COVID Fatigue When Their Co-Parent Doesn’t Believe COVID Is Real

More than a year into the pandemic, COVID-19 has become a source of daily conversation. It continues to be a factor in our choices of everything from where we go to who we interact with. During a time when interactions continue to be limited, anyone who splits time with their kids with a co-parent is likely to be especially appreciative of the time spent they are able to share together. However, that doesn’t mean that co-parenting during a pandemic is easy and it can become even more challenging when you and your ex are struggling to reach common ground on your beliefs in regard to COVID. Regardless of your personal beliefs, there are things you can do to help your kids better adjust as they continue to struggle with COVID fatigue – and they can be done with or without the cooperation of your fellow co-parent.

Listen to Your Kids’ Fears

Just like adults, kids are hearing about this virus daily and it can quickly become overwhelming. Between this continued exposure from the media and the changes your kids have likely had to cope with first-hand such as reduced interactions with friends and family, it is understandable if they are fatigued after a year of this situation. Take the time to sit down with your children to have an age-appropriate discussion about the pandemic. If you notice that your child’s fear of COVID is so severe that you think you may need to change your custody agreement because of it, you should obtain legal help as soon as you can.

Continue to Comply With Regulations

One of the best ways that parents can help reassure their children that they will protect them from harm is to continue to abide by the rules and regulations put in place by authorities in regard to controlling the pandemic. Ensure that you continue to:

• Wear masks
• Social distance appropriately
• Wash your hands often and regulate your children washing theirs
• Comply with any other guidelines mandated by the government

Involve the Courts if Necessary

You should always keep in mind that regardless of what you or the other parent of your children may believe, courts are always going to view your actions in regard to the best interest of the child. That means courts are going to always do what seems to be best for your kids, even if that means going directly against something that you are passionate about. In regard to the COVID pandemic in particular, it should be widely understood that Ontario courts have recently frowned upon co-parents acting in controversial ways in regard to their views about COVID and have used that to change custody agreements.

Are You and Your Ex Struggling to Find Common Ground? 

Keeping open communication with your child’s other parent can sometimes be enough to keep the relationship between you stable. In other situations, it seems like the animosity never ceases no matter how hard you try to just get along. If you are struggling to find common understanding with your child’s other parent and it is affecting the circumstances of when you are able to see your kids, it may be time to seek legal help. As the Mississauga family lawyers at Zagazeta Garcia LLP, we are passionate about helping people successfully reach co-parenting agreements with the least amount of controversy. Contact us today to begin.

Resources:

canlii.org/en/on/onsc/doc/2021/2021onsc681/2021onsc681.html

canlii.org/en/on/onsc/doc/2021/2021onsc590/2021onsc590.html