Your son plays hockey. Your daughter is in gymnastics. Sports have been important to them for years, and you and your spouse have always been there to cheer them on.
Now you’re getting divorced, however, and you know things are going to change. Routines will shift. Children will spend time with both of you, but not at the same time. This is a transitional moment in life for all of you.
Sports can be a source of strength
One thing to keep in mind at this time is that involvement in these activities can turn into a source of strength for your kids. Sports give them routine, purpose and direction. They give them something to fill their time, they provide friends and they allow the children to feel like they’re part of a group. All of this is very fulfilling to them. So, if it seems like your child is struggling to adapt to all the changes from your divorce, keeping them involved in sports can be important.
Problems can develop around the schedule
The big problem you may run into with sporting activities is that they can create problems with parenting time. When your children have practice, pre-game events, rallies and games to attend, that can make adhering to a strict visitation schedule very difficult. It may take some effort to craft a parenting plan that takes these issues into account. It may also be necessary to put some limitations on new activities without joint parental consent.
Creating a parenting plan that puts your kids first is crucial. As you get started, take the time to look into all of the options that you have. If you’re not sure how to make things work when there are extracurricular events involved, your attorney may be an invaluable source of guidance.