One of the challenges that co-parents in California face is about who will watch the children when they are with each parent. Whether the parent is at work or participating in another activity, there might be a necessity to leave the children with another caretaker. However, when that caretaker is a parent’s new partner, conflicts might arise. It is in the best interest of the children that parents resolve their conflicts over the choice of caretaker as quickly and as amicably as possible.
The children’s safety comes first
As with all issues related to child custody, the children’s safety is always a top priority. Staying with a parent’s new partner is not necessarily a threat to the children’s safety, even if the other parent has concerns about it, particularly if that parent has not yet met the new partner. Though a parent might not agree with the other parent’s choice of caretaker when that person is a new partner, if the children’s safety is not at risk, a court would not find a legal issue. Additionally, as long as the children’s safety is ensured, each parent has the right to choose who acts as caretaker when they are responsible for the children.
Steps parents can take to resolve this conflict
If a conflict arises over concerns about a new partner acting as caretaker for the children, the parents should act to resolve it. Some of the steps parents can take to do this include:
• Figuring out where the concerns are coming from
• Expressing these concerns in a respectful manner to the other parent
• Meeting the new partner
• Negotiating a solution that works for the family
Reluctance to let the other parent’s new partner act as caretaker might not be about the children at all. However, it is beneficial for the whole family for parents to get past this to successfully continue raising their children.