Ways to become more actively engaged in your child's education

Following separation some parents will find that their relationship with their child's school alters. Although you try your very best to stay involved you may find that the school does not actively engage with you. Unfortunately non-resident parents often become invisible to the important institutions in their child's life. However there are resources out there for all parents. 

Parentzone is a website run by Education Scotland which is full of resources and support for parents. You may have questions about Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) or ways of getting involved which you feel are silly questions. There are never any silly questions but if you feel unable to ask your child's school about such information then there are other ways of being informed. 

Parents have the biggest impact on their child's learning. Being aware of what is happening in school and conversing with your child can improve their learning outcomes. You needn't worry that you don't know the answers to their maths problems. What is most important is that children know they have your support. You may feel that you have little time with them and that homework is not ideal for bonding however learning is not just about academic study. Education Scotland have put together 2 booklets which highlight everyday learning opportunities. 

Every day's a learning day - Birth to 3 years 

Every day's a learning day - 3 to 6 years

If your children are older than 0-6 years then do not feel forgotten about. The National Parent Forum of Scotland has an online blog and produces newsletters in each school session.

Children in Scotland and the Scottish Youth Parliament have recently launched a new website called BeXcellent which sets out information on Curriculum for Excellence for young people. 

Engage for Education have a number of videos on their website about how Curriculum for Excellence is changing the Scottish Education system.

If your children are at secondary school level then the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has information about the new national qualifications under CfE. The SQA website also has a mythbuster specifically for the new national qualifications. 

No matter what stage your child is at in their education there are ways to make yourself informed. Although your child's school may not actively engage with you there is nothing to stop you accessing the resources available. 

Minnesota Shared Parenting bill vetoed by Governor Dayton

Minnesota State HouseGovernor Mark Dayton vetoed the Shared Parenting bill HF 322 on Thursday 24th May 2012. Governor Dayton outlined his decision in a letter to the Speaker of the House, Kurt Zellers. The Children's Equal and Shared Parenting Act would have altered the current presumption of a 25:75 care split to a 35:65 care split. The minimum presumption of 35% would have increased parenting time by a minimum of 37 days. 

In his letter to the Speaker of the House, Governor Dayton stated that "Every divorce is different; therefore, each divorce has its own unique set of facts, conditions, and circumstances. Thus it is very difficult to codify one set of presumptions and preferences, which will apply to every family situation." 

Given that every divorce is different surely it would be better to presume that each parent has an equal right to parent their child. If a positive presumption was made that both parents wish to be equally involved in their child's life then parents could focus on the practical realities of arranging drop-offs, pick-ups, holidays and parents evening. Rather than have one party fight to be allowed in their child's life conflict could be diffused by presuming from the outset that both parents want to be involved in their child's upbringing. Not everyone will be able to share parenting 50:50 down the line and that is not what is meant by shared parenting. However if there was a positive starting point then parties could spend more time focusing on the welfare and needs of their children.

Governor Dayton was "[t]orn between the persuasive arguments of both proponents and opponents of the legislation, [he was] particularly influenced by the strong opposition of so many organizations (although not all of their members), who work everyday with the most challenging divorces and their effects on the well-being, and even the safety, of parents and children."

It would appear that the Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the Family Law Section of the Minnesota Bar, who have a lot to gain from ongoing conflict, where given more of a voice than court users who have found the unbalanced system has prevented them from being actively involved in their child's life.

Are Minnesota paving the way for Shared Parenting?

Minnesota State HouseThe Minnesota House and Senate has passed the Shared Parenting bill. This bill creates the Children's Equal and Shared Parenting Act and establishes a rebuttable presumption of joint legal and joint physical child custody. Having being passed the bill is currently awaiting the attention of Governor Mark Dayton. The Governor will decide whether to sign or veto the bill. 

The passing of the bill has opened up the debate on shared parenting within the state of Minnesota.  

Molly Olson, head of the Center for Parental Responsibility stated that "by putting parents on an equal playing field, then and only then can we reduce conflict, eliminate the win-lose model that currently operates in law." The Center for Parental Responsibility wish to "remove obstacles that prevent parents from being fully and equally involved in the lives of their children."

We shall be watching to see if the bill becomes law and what lessons can be learned from this example.

Learning from the Australian shared parenting experience

Professor Patrick Parkinson spoke at a recent meeting of the International Family Law Group in London about the impact of shared parenting legislation in Australia.

His paper contradicted some of the pessimistic views in the recent Nuffield Institute research review which concluded that shared parenting legislation is not in the interests of children.

The paper reviews the background to the Australian-reforms and what the Australian government - with bipartisan political support - tried to achieve; and corrects the record in terms of what the research actually shows about post-separation parenting arrangements in Australia after 2006.

He also considers what might be beneficial amendments to the English Children Act 1989 in the light of the Australian experience.

The paper argues that although there should not be any legislative presumption that children should spend equal or near equal time with both parents, there is an advantage to the inclusion in legislation of principles that can help guide the settlement of cases.

Edinburgh conference explores the role of fathers

Charlie LewisReduced price bookings are still available for the Men in Childcare/Mindstretchers conference in Edinburgh on 8th June - a chance to hear about innovative work on fathers and children.  Delegate price is £60 until 21st May.

Speakers include Professor Charlie Lewis from Lancaster University talking about father-child relationships and children's development; Professor Colwyn Trewarthen from Edinburgh University on "infant care for fathers: companions from the start"; and Kenny Spence from Men in Childcare asking "does gender matter in the early childhood".

Charlie Lewis has undertaken some of the key research on the importance of men in children's lives including a review of research findings on fatherhoodfor the Rowntree Foundation.

Further information and conference bookings from Men in Childcare.