COVID-19 has changed the way our kids are taught. Virtual learning and homeschool for kids is the directive for most families, as states continue to try to get a grip over the pandemic problems. Teaching your kids can be tough, but what happens when you have to additionally deal with an ex who doesn’t agree with your views on how to homeschool your child?
It doesn’t really matter if the issue is homeschool curriculum or remote learning supported by parents — not agreeing with your ex leaves kids in flux on what is done when in mom’s care versus dad’s. The inconsistency can be detrimental to their learning success.
Identifying the problems that can lead to disagreements
Resolving homeschool parenting conflicts
Communication is the cornerstone of resolving conflict. “Parents who disagree about how to educate their child should start by trying to keep lines of communication open," homeschooling mom of two Sarah Miller told Mom.com. "Sharing information about their child's progress is an important part of respecting the other parent's parental rights.”
This could be done verbally but may be better accomplished with a journal that reviews daily and weekly progress that both parents see. The journal becomes an easy place to identify homeschooling problems that arise. If both parents are completing the journal and the child is meeting milestones, then there should be no argument even if one parent gets to the success in a different way than the other. But if the child is not meeting milestones, parents must troubleshoot why.
If the journal helps show that there is a lack of consistency in doing assignments by one parent, this becomes a conversation about what can be done to change things. Maybe that parent doesn’t have the time to do the work and a modification in the schedule is in order.
When to seek outside help
If parents can’t agree on the solution, they may need the help of a mediator or judge. Remember that these legal parties will work towards what is best for your child, not you or your ex. If that means changing custody orders, they will. It’s always best for parents to try to work things out without court intervention.
