Losing Custody due to COVID. (Part I)

Real Work Wife aims to bring issues that are affecting women to the forefront. COVID has negatively affected so many people. Nevertheless many people have persevered. Especially the “essential workers.” These workers have been on the front lines ensuring that the public have the care and resources they need to live a normal life. They often sacrifice their time and safety for the sake of public life and comfort. But sometimes those sacrifices are too much. This account is about a sacrifice that one may call too great. This mother, an essential worker, almost lost custody due to COVID.
“Our co-parenting started off very positive. We adjusted our own parenting plans prior to COVID and agreed to bi-weekly custody. Our son was happy and my ex-husband and I listened to each other. But the problems began when school started and he became hyper vigilant about COVID. Because I am an essential worker, he claimed that I was intentionally putting our son at risk because I continued to work. This wasn’t just an argument between us, he took this all the way to court. I thought I was going to have to choose between my employment and being a parent. I started searching for other ways to subsidize my income. In order to keep custody of my child, I did what I thought was necessary. I thought working from home would appease my husband and stop all court mitigation. I explained the situation to my employer who required medical documentation in order for me to be permitted to work from home. Because I have a pre-existing condition, my doctor approved and I began working from home. This is exceptionally difficult for an essential worker, but I prove my worth each day. 
Me working from home, however, did not stop the court mitigation. My ex-husband wanted to know who I would have in my home, what grocery stores I went to, where I ran errands and a constant tracking of my whereabouts. This made my life even more uncomfortable. His constant questioning of my parenting made me feel insignificant. "


To be continued......

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