If you are a New Jersey parent who is going through a divorce and you also have a demanding career, you might worry about how you are going to balance child custody with your job. It is important that you prioritize your children, and this can mean letting your estranged spouse have more time with them if your job means you are going to be working long hours or spending a lot of time out of town. However, it does not mean that you have to be cut off from your children.
Things to consider
The key is to be realistic about the time that you have and what you are able to do. You need to consider how your child will get to and from school and activities. You should also think about whether and how you can be around to make sure your child does their homework and has a good breakfast and dinner. Remember that if you insist that you are able to take the child for certain periods and then you are unable to, you will be letting your child down.
Making work arrangements
You may need to talk to your manager at work about rearranging some aspects of your schedule or work responsibilities. This can be tricky since you also do not want to drag divorce drama into the office. A good way to approach this may be to already have a solution in mind. For example, if you work at a place where you routinely stay late, you may want to talk to your manager about leaving at 5 p.m. on certain days. Aim to present your request professionally.
If you end up in a court dispute over custody, the judge will decide based on what is in the best interests of the child. This is the basis that you and the other parent should use to decide on custody as well. Keep in mind that this might not be the arrangement that allows you the most time with your child, but it may best fit the child’s schedule and needs.