Join Up. Sign Up. Don’t just be a spectator at your kids’ concerts, tournaments and science fairs.
Posted September 20th, 2016.
Categories: Child Custody, Custody Tips, Family Law.
It’s easy to say that you attended the school play in which your daughter had the starring role. Not too difficult to show up at your son’s soccer games. Pretty much a no-brainer to say you were present when the school band marched down your street on the Fourth-of-July Parade.
It’s more difficult, however, to become part of that school play, that soccer game and that parade yourself. Parents are always needed to volunteer their time and expertise to organize and manage major school productions and community events. So few of them actually get involved.
But getting involved could be a major milestone in your custody and visitation case. A parent who belongs to the “Band Parent’s Association” or who volunteers as the “Assistant Little League Coach” can accomplish many things: (1) The parent can show the extent to which he or she dedicates time to the children’s affairs; (2) The parent will meet other parents who can be cultivated as witnesses in any future custody or visitation dispute; (3) The parent will gain first-hand knowledge about their children’s interaction with other kids and how well they function in team or group activities, and (4) The parent will be able to identify other children — information that will help make a stronger connection with his/her own kids.
In fact, non-custodial parents can earn significant points for getting involved in school activities and community projects in which the children are participating. Doing so will draw the parents closer to the children (on the children’s home turf), and it will force school leaders and community leaders to realize that the children have another parent who loves them too.
So join up! Sign up! Get down to business with the school and the community, and keep a good record of your volunteer activities and contributions. It will pay you back later in Family Court.
