March 2020: The State of Illinois, St. Louis County, and St. Louis City have issued “Stay at Home” orders that will be in effect for the next several weeks to limit the spread of the coronavirus. We know that for co-parents, this situation is especially challenging and stressful. You probably have many questions about COVID-19 and the rights and responsibilities parents have concerning their children. Here are three things to keep in mind:

Parenting Time

As we explained in last week’s blog, your Parenting Plan is still in effect and you should try to follow it. With that said, schools are closed, and many parents are either working from home or not able to work right now, while others with jobs deemed essential may be working longer hours away from home. Therefore, it’s important to be flexible and allow each other some grace when it comes to rearranging schedules to best suit the situation.

Education

If at all possible, both parents should take responsibility for educating their children in order to cover the learning requirements. School districts vary in their ability to offer e-learning tools, and households also vary in their ability to access those resources. It’s important for parents to communicate regularly regarding school requirements and try to work out which parent can best handle different subjects. Again, this means being flexible and creative for the time being.

Healthcare

Be sure to regularly check for factual updates on the new coronavirus and COVID-19 from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). If you and your co-parent share decision-making for your child over healthcare matters, that has not changed. Please be respectful of each other’s views while putting your child’s health and safety first.

With a combined 30 years in family law, the attorneys at Jones Family Law Group, LLC, will provide the legal guidance you need. For questions or to schedule a confidential consultation, contact our team.

More helpful resources:

What Does the COVID-19 Stay Home Order Mean for my Custody Order?

Illinois Stay at Home FAQs

City of St. Louis COVID-19 Stay Home Order Information & Resources

St. Louis County COVID-19 Announcements and Resources