As you move toward divorce with your spouse, you decide to tell family members and friends. But then you start wondering about your child’s teacher at school. Should you tell them? Or is that oversharing? Do they need to know?
What you decide is up to you; you certainly do not have to tell the teacher if you do not want to. This is private information.
That said, many educators note that teachers do prefer to know. In some cases, they can figure it out on their own. It’s often helpful for them if the parents are open and honest about what is going on at home.
After all, it may impact the way the child behaves at school. A child who is angry about the divorce could start taking it out on the other kids. A child who has separation anxiety from no longer living with both parents may break down emotionally. A child who used to do all of their homework on time may start missing assignments if they do not have the same structure and schedule at home that they had before.
These are things teachers need to deal with every day. The more they know about what is happening and why, the more they can do to help the child learn and adjust. It may be wise, in this sense, for parents to think of teachers as part of their “team” for helping the child work through all that a divorce entails.
As you try to put your child first, make sure you know exactly what legal options you have.
