With spring right around the corner, many children are at the beginning of their sports season. This might mean obtaining an updated physical exam or other such medical assurance from their healthcare provider. Our latest installment of our “Co-Parenting Convos” series will discuss best practices about these, and all types, of your child’s health appointment matters that may arise.

First, make sure that your child’s healthcare providers have the most updated contact information for both you and your co-parent/co-caretaker. This is especially important in an emergency, and your co-parent/co-caretaker must obtain help from your child’s provider. This may sound like a no brainer, but sometimes it can be easy to forget to update simple biographical information when you’re busy caring for your child’s day-to-day needs.

Second, discuss all matters concerning the need to cancel or reschedule your child’s health appointments with your co-parent/co-caretaker, if they are involved in any way. This can be if they were planning on attending, scheduled the appointment themselves, etc. Sometimes there are valid reasons when a parent/caretaker must reschedule or cancel their child’s appointment, life happens, but avoid using this scenario to make unilateral decisions that will affect your co-parent/co-caretaker without their input. Proactive communication is essential. Now, if you and your co-parent/co-caretaker don’t usually coordinate these types of appointments with one another or your order does not require you do so, simply remember to communicate the result of the visit. This is easy and helps your child when all parents/caretakers know your child’s medical/health history.

Finally, if your child’s healthcare providers have online portals to review your child’s history, status of visits, and other important information, both parents should have access to it. Again, all parents/caretakers having access to this information will be beneficial if they need to quickly obtain it for your child’s school-related matters or time-sensitive health issues.

While both co-parents/co-caretakers may not attend all of your child’s health appointments together, your child can certainly benefit by following these best practices of communicating this important information.

Stay up to date with our “Co-Parenting Convos” series by subscribing to our social media platforms, blog, and vlog. If you need help with your custody and visitation/parenting time matter, or to discuss any co-parenting/co-caretaker issues, our experienced family law attorneys at Morris Williams LLC are here to help! Contact us today to schedule a consultation by calling (757) 226-9425 or by emailing us at admin@morriswilliamslaw.com .