The Association of Family and Conciliation Courts recently published some useful tools to help those sharing custody this holiday season.
For the full Roadmap, visit their file here.
“1. PLAN EARLY:
If there is one piece of advice you take away from these guidelines, it has to be this one. If there
was ever a holiday season that could not be successfully navigated by the seat of your pants at
the last minute, it is this season. Consider travel logistics, your holiday traditions, events with
family and friends and the parenting time schedule, as usual. Include an accurate assessment of
applicable guidelines and possible tracing requirements and quarantine times based on
protections needed in each household.
2. FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE ROAD:
Stick to your parenting plan or schedule as much as you can, if there is one. If not, start working
out a plan. Communicate with your co-parent as soon as possible if you think your customary
schedule, family gatherings or travel arrangements will have to change because of the virus.
3. AGREE ON A DESTINATION:
Be straightforward with each other about your goals for the holidays. Discuss how to have a
holiday that is both happy and safe for everyone. Look carefully at the level of disease at any
location where you might plan to go and also where you live. You have to consider if you could
be carrying the risk from your home to another part of the country, as well as the infection and
positivity rates present in the community you will be visiting. Will you be among people who
are carefully observing the recommendations and rules (masks, social distancing, hand
washing)?
4. PLAN YOUR ROUTE TOGETHER:
Talk about the where, when and how. Agree on how to proceed if you disagree. Find ways to
resolve disputes with each other, a trusted advisor, a mediator or a parenting coordinator—
always a preferable alternative to going to court. If the dispute continues, consider reaching out
to a mediator, with or without an attorney, to resolve the issues before seeking court intervention.
5. DON’T BE AFRAID TO STOP AND ASK FOR DIRECTIONS:
Your particular situation may benefit from a consultation with an expert, who might be the
family pediatrician (if the point of dispute involves health risks), a family therapist, or your
lawyer.
6. YIELD TO HAZARD SIGNS:
Be prepared to abide by local, state and national instructions regarding health and safety as they
are updated.
7. SLOW DOWN IF THERE IS CONSTRUCTION OR AN ACCIDENT AHEAD:
Be willing to take a step back, slow down and communicate about any new concerns that may
arise related to health and safety.
8. BE OPEN TO ALTERNATIVE ROUTES:
This year is going to be an exception for everyone, not just coparents. Everybody is concerned
about doing the right thing, which will lead inevitably to finding new ways to gather and
celebrate. For some it will mean get-togethers only on Zoom; for others, there will be gatherings
of limited size and limited time, with masks and social distancing. Consider holding any
gathering outside, if the weather permits. If you must be indoors, good ventilation with doors
and windows open is a must. Social and family connections will have to be balanced by safe
behaviors and mitigating risk.
Above all and despite the extra complications of the circumstances, we wish everyone a healthy, happy and peaceful holiday season!”
“From leaders of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, groups that deal with families in crisis:
Susan Myres, President, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML)
Larry Fong, President, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC)
Mindy Mitnick, AFCC President Elect
Matt Sullivan, AFCC Past President
Laura Belleau, AAML Second Vice President
Kim Bonuomo, AAML committee co-chair for AAML/AFCC program
Nancy Kellman, AAML committee co-chair for AAML/AFCC program
Jill Peña, AAML Executive Director
Peter Salem, AFCC Executive Director “