Relationships amongst parents and partners have never been under more pressure, as opposing viewpoints on education, childcare and socialising, create daily disagreements during the pandemic.
“The restrictions have created a multitude of situations that parents, whether together or separated, are having to agree upon in relation to the wellbeing of their children,” says Phillip Rhodes, Partner in Family Law at Slater Heelis Solicitors.
“It has led to a sharp rise in disagreements as new areas of conflict present themselves to parents which has caused an increase in calls to Solicitors to check the arguments from a legal standpoint.”
Disagreements include whether children should be in school or not, given an apparent lack of consistency across the offering of school places and the criteria for critical workers. Some parents have reported that even though neither are critical workers, one partner may still be pushing for the child to be in school which is causing conflict.
Couples who are already separated are also finding that one parent is shouldering the extra costs of having the children at home and facing the pressures of home schooling alone.
The challenges may open up cracks in previously strong relationships and exacerbate problems in those already faltering.
“The fact is, the courts are unable to help resolve these matters as the law has no provision yet for them or the capacity to deal with the cases,” says Phillip.
Courts are currently inundated with cases involving children, who may be in danger or be exposed to harm, so parents seeking to let the courts decide on parenting matters, are being urged by Slater Heelis to try and find a way forward that is in the best interests of the child.
On a positive note, the message from courts is clear in that parents who are separated with one partner citing the pandemic as a reason for reduced or restricted contact will not be tolerated. This time will have to be ‘made up’ with the parent who has missed any previously agreed allocation with their children.
“There will continue to be new and very challenging issues raising themselves as we work our way through the pandemic. For example, the availability of the vaccine will present the opportunity for differing opinions and potential conflict around whether or not children should be vaccinated,” concludes Phillip.
The advice is to try and listen to each other and to try and find a compromise on what the other parent might be insistent upon. If there is no way forward then there are a number of mediation options available, but these should be a last resort.