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Organization

© Annelies Mouring

Hi All- This article is a repeat but I get LOTS of requests for the information. Happy Holidays.

There are many products to help a divorced parent organize visitation schedules, help children to organize visitation schedules and to track all the things that a parent needs to track.

Get an organizer It is so important to track the children’s contact and visitation with the other parent. Keeping a running record of visits, times that you sent out copies of report cards, invitations to school plays and school meetings will be very beneficial to you should a situation arise that you need this information. Make sure that any information that you track can be printed or saved in a format that can be accessed later. www.palm.com, www.handspring.com, and www.trg.com make a few products that you can buy that do this. There are many other electric organizers that also do this.

Use a special calendar If you don’t buy a PalmPilot or an organizer, then a regular calendar can do the trick. If necessary add notes that give details so if you need the information it will be available in detail. Using a special calendar just for that purpose will make things easier. Keep those calendars for several years.

Get a product geared for children of divorce Many companies sell items that cater to divorced parents. For example: http://mytwohomes.com/products.htm. makes a nice line of products that allow a child to remember events at Mom’s and Dad’s. Find a product that is suitable to yours and your child’s needs.

Keep an manila envelope or file Take notes, and track events, and make observations on events involving the other parents. Keep them in one place and that will make things easier should you need information regarding that incident again. Use sticky notes on the front as sort of a to-do list for yourself. Keep this in a safe place away form the children as this information is not such that the children need to read.

Do things as often as possible. Sort and distribute items as often as possible.

Remember that the better you track these events the less difficulties you will have remembering “why did I do this or not do that” if it becomes an issue. Its hard to argue with black in white notations that say “Mailed copy of report card to NCP”.

The copyright of the article Organization in Divorced Parents is owned by Annelies Mouring. Permission to republish Organization in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.