PARENTAL DECLARATION DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
NOTE: Here is a summary of some recommendations from recent webinars and articles by various family law and counselling professionals. These recommendations have been combined into a “declaration” that is intended for co-parents to commit to focusing on the best interests of their children during this pandemic.
(Pam Rudy, BEd, Cert Family Mediation, Coordinator, Separation Resource Services, Family Services of Greater Victoria. For over 33 years Pam Rudy has provided families going through separation/divorce with advocacy and support. April 2020)
(Pam Rudy, BEd, Cert Family Mediation, Coordinator, Separation Resource Services, Family Services of Greater Victoria. For over 33 years Pam Rudy has provided families going through separation/divorce with advocacy and support. April 2020)
My Declaration to my Child(ren) and Co-parent:
- I will model strict safety procedures and behaviours to stay healthy. I will promptly communicate any health concerns regarding my own health, or those I have been in recent contact with, so that together we can make parenting arrangements to address these concerns.
- I will provide honest age-appropriate information to help my child remain calm and reassured that as co-parents, our priority is focused on our child’s needs instead of our own. I will manage my environment to protect my child from exposure to media reports that may cause unnecessary stress.
- I am open to interim, creative parenting arrangements without waiting for when the court system can resume hearing family law matters. I am willing to try mediation resources and/or choose a parenting coordinator to be our intermediary to help us make interim decisions even if such options were tried and unsuccessful in the past.
- Unless there is a legal restriction that prohibits me from having direct or indirect contact, I will encourage safe, continued parenting time. To reassure my child that their other parent is healthy and safe, I will also encourage additional parenting time through whatever electronic communication options are available to us. I believe it will be good for my child if I exercise generosity. If parenting time has to be suspended, I understand that making up for missed time may not be an option. However, if some make-up time is possible, then I will offer it.
- Despite uncertainties and confusion during this pandemic, I will not use this situation to make unilateral decisions about the parenting schedule that were in place prior to social distancing requirements. I will not use this situation to manipulate or pressure my co-parent to accept changes I want.
- I am willing to be flexible with the parenting schedule. Once the Covid-19 crisis is over, I am aware that legal professionals, particularly judges, may be interested to know how I conducted myself as a co-parent. I will want to describe to them how I behaved in a reasonable and flexible manner even if I believe my co-parent did not.
- If our financial situation is affected as a result of employment income disruption, I will be understanding and patient if I’m not able to receive the full amount of child support at this time. And, if I’m paying child support, I will continue to pay as much as possible because that is my obligation.
- Despite past disappointments and difficult communications between us, for our child’s sake I will remain forward-focused and do whatever I can in order for us to be the best co-parents possible during and beyond this pandemic.
These links are for informative purposes only and do not constitute legal advice.
Parenting After Separation in British Columbia
-Online course, Parenting After Separation for Indigenous Families Available as well
-Online course, Parenting After Separation for Indigenous Families Available as well
Family Justice in British Columbia
-updated April 09, 2020 to include information due to COVID-19 concerns
-updated April 09, 2020 to include information due to COVID-19 concerns
Family Law Information in British Columbia
-information from the Legal Services Society (Legal Aid BC)
-information from the Legal Services Society (Legal Aid BC)
Families Change - Guide to Separation & Divorce
-Helpful website for Kids, Teens & Parents
-Helpful website for Kids, Teens & Parents
Canada Revenue Agency - Child and Family Benefits
-Benefit programs, eligibility, application instructions, and payment dates.
-Benefit programs, eligibility, application instructions, and payment dates.
Other Community Agencies
Together Against Poverty Society
-support for People in Victoria dealing with disability applications, income assistance, etc.
-support for People in Victoria dealing with disability applications, income assistance, etc.
Victoria Child Abuse Prevention and Counselling Centre
-support for families affected by sexual abuse or other trauma
-support for families affected by sexual abuse or other trauma
