For the Love of the Game: Three Things to Consider when Co-Parenting a Child Athlete after a Chicago Divorce

Let’s face it: some parents love sports, encourage sports, and maybe even live a little vicariously through their child’s young sports career, while some parents simply find kids’ sports to be expensive, dangerous, and potentially a distraction from core educational subjects. Whatever type of parent an individual may be, there is no doubt that the situation becomes tricky when parents don’t see eye-to-eye on their child’s involvement in team or school sports. Compound the struggles of simple disagreement with the complexities of divorce, and you may have a recipe for a very difficult sports season for a child with divorced parents. In order to help Chicago parents understand some of the issues that may come up as their kids gear up for sports this school year, we have put together three important things parents should consider when they co-parent a child athlete after a divorce.

Consideration #1. Time

According to a September 19, 2023 article on Kare11 News online, time is a major consideration that divorced parents should consider when co-parenting a young child athlete together. Child sports events can involve travel out of town, overnight stays, and lots and lots of driving, which not all parents agree to sign-up for. A parent may ask themselves whether it is their time to drive their child to their meet or practice, or whether it is their ex-spouse’s turn. Parents who are divorced and co-parenting a child athlete should discuss the time requirements of the child’s chosen sport and plan accordingly by agreeing on a schedule or other form of organizing time and travel responsibilities.

Consideration #2. Money

Money is another major consideration that divorced parents should think about and prepare for when their child is involved in sports, according to the Kare11 article. Sports equipment, training time at a rink or field, coaching, travel expenses, and other costs all add up quickly, and not all parents are able to foot the bill. According to Kare11, parents should avoid alienating each other (no matter what) and explain to the child that they are loved, but finances are just tight.

Consideration #3: Parents and Socializing

Before a couple gets divorced, they may sit together with other couples at their child’s sports game and have a community of parents who socialize together over the game and the kids. Once a couple is divorced, the social dynamic of their child’s sports games can be awkward and dividing. According to Kare11, it is best for parents to stand united at their child’s sports games, even if sitting next to each other and being cordial for two hours seems like an insurmountable hurdle.

The bottom line is that divorce can be challenging when co-parenting a child athlete with an ex-spouse, and even when not. If you have questions about your Chicago divorce, contact the experienced Chicago divorce lawyers at Birnbaum Gelfman Sharma & Arnoux, LLC to discuss your case. The experienced Chicago divorce lawyers at Birnbaum Gelfman Sharma & Arnoux, LLC offer a confidential consultation to learn about your case and to see if they can help. Contact Birnbaum Gelfman Sharma & Arnoux, LLC and speak to an experienced Chicago divorce lawyer about your case today.

Source:

kare11.com/article/sports/local-sports/sportslife/sportslife-co-parenting-a-young-athlete-after-divorce-or-separation/89-51cd6d5b-b560-43c4-a7fd-d97415789ca8