Extracurricular activities can be very important to young adults. Many children and teenagers base part of their sense of identity on the activities that they enjoy. They may also develop lifelong friendships as they participate in team sports, theater and other extracurricular activities.
Especially when the family goes through a difficult time, outside support can be critically important to a young adult. However, the extracurricular activities that a child enjoys can be a source of conflict for the parents trying to share custody of that child. Parents who properly plan for likely sources of disputes can craft parenting plans that help them cooperate more effectively.
What concerns related to extracurricular activities might trigger co-parenting conflicts?
The activities a child chooses
Parents may have very different ideas about what extracurricular activities are appropriate for their children. Parents might disagree about when children are old enough to begin extracurricular activities. They may also disagree about which ones are appropriate for their children. Outlining some basic rules regarding extracurricular activities in a parenting plan can help the adults bypass conflict when children start requesting to join team sports or other extracurricular activities.
The cost of extracurricular activities
A single year participating in a sport can cost hundreds of dollars per child. Some sports and activities cost far more than others. Cross-country running and debate are often relatively affordable due to the minimal equipment required. Gymnastics and hockey tend to be far more expensive due to equipment needs and the requirement to access specialized facilities. Parents may need to have a plan in place for addressing the expenses generated by extracurricular activities. Those costs may exceed what either parent can cover on their own.
The way parents participate
Parents may find themselves fighting over who gets to attend a game or which parent can volunteer with the team. Addressing adult participation and establishing rules for how to share that time with the children can be of the utmost importance. Oftentimes, the children may prefer to have both parents attend whenever possible. Parents may need to implement rules that allow them to do so without ending up in an argument.
Realizing that extracurricular activities can lead to child custody conflicts can help parents better prepare for the realities of co-parenting. Those who plan carefully can often ease the transition to a shared custody arrangement.