If you’re getting divorced, you may have a list of people you need to tell. You need to have the big conversation with your children, and you want to talk to extended family members. You may tell close friends or coworkers, especially if there are going to be significant changes to your life and your schedule.
But if your children are in school, should you tell their teacher? Below are three reasons why you may want to consider doing so.
Children may act out
First off, although most children do adjust to divorce over time and have a positive long-term outcome, they may act out emotionally at the beginning. It can help teachers to be aware of why this is happening if the child becomes difficult or if their academic performance declines.
The child may need to talk
In some situations, children don’t feel as comfortable talking to their parents about divorce as they do talking to another trusted adult. For many children, the only other adult in this position is their teacher. Since teachers are often the only support system for children, it’s beneficial if they know what’s going on at home.
You may have logistical questions
Divorce can also bring up some questions, especially when it comes to scheduling. The school may want to know who to expect to pick the children up at the end of the day, for example. If your ex has a babysitter because they’re at work, is that new person authorized to take your children home?
These are just a few areas to consider when moving toward a divorce. As you do, think about your legal options and what you can do to put your children first throughout this process.