As mothers we are biologically programmed to take care of the needs of everyone in the family. But we need to make space for taking good care of ourselves too. This starts with assuring our basic needs are met everyday.
Technology enables moms to multitask more easily but more is expected of modern parents. Even in households espousing gender equality, women tend to take on more of the childcare and household responsibilities, as well as the corresponding mental load. Dads can ease this burden by taking more initiative and following through.
Motherhood is often not what we understood or imagined it would be based upon our observations of our own mothers. While growing up, we often failed to see the behind the scenes work and effort that we now experience first hand.
Sometimes new or expectant mothers see media coverage of tragic loss in the postpartum and become concerned about “getting” postpartum depression. It’s important to talk to your providers and learn about local community resources for postpartum women.
Summertime is bringing new co-parenting challenges during the COVID 19 global pandemic. Businesses and offices are re-opening but the kids are at home with fewer options for supervision than in a typical summer. Working cooperatively as co-parents during this time is in the children’s best interest.
Online learning is a new challenge for co-parents during the COVID 19 pandemic. Few co-parents have training or experience as a teacher. Co-parents can practice giving each other the benefit of the doubt when feeling frustrated about their child’s attendance at online classes or completion of assignments during the other parent’s assigned time.
An official Statement from the Maryland Judiciary on Matters Concerning Children and Families has now been issued to provide guidance to co-parents during the COVID 19 pandemic. This Statement explicitly says that existing orders relating to child custody, parenting time and child support remain fully in effect. Co-parents may only modify an existing Agreement or Order if the jointly agree that this is in the best interests of the children.
Co-parents can reach agreements regarding how new significant others will be introduced to the children. These provisions stem from a recognition that each family member will adjust to the separation at a different pace. While these agreements require effort and compromise, they can reduce conflict.
If you’re separated and trying to work out how you will make decisions for the children going forward, it’s quite possible that you will encounter the term, “tie-breaker authority.” When decision-making is shared and co-parents disagree, tie-breaker authority allows one co-parent to make the decision.
