These sample emails can be adapted to your family and your style, and used in communicating with the other parent in a consistent, effective and positive manner. You can also use them as printed memo forms that you hand-deliver or mail to the other parent. Each sample has a unique subject line that is designed to give the other parent a "heads up" that the email will follow a certain pattern and is communicating a certain message.
For each sample email, You can click on the "email now" option to bring up the template in email form. Just fill in the "to" and "from" information and customize the details. Or you can click on "view text" to copy and paste the text directly.
If the other parent receives one of these emails and it has a "Reply" section, all that parent needs to do is hit "reply", check one of the options, and send.
Temporary request for schedule change
Use this to ask for a one-time or short-term change in the schedule. [expand title="View text"]
From: one parent To: the other parent Subject: Temporary Request for Schedule Change I am requesting a temporary change in our child’s parenting time schedule. Here are the details: Original beginning date and time ____________________________ Original ending date and time _______________________________ Requested beginning date and time __________________________ Requested ending date and time _____________________________ ___ There is a “Location Update” memo that goes with this notice. ___ I am requesting the change for the following reason: ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ Please consider this request and get back to me by _____________ so I can make arrangements. Otherwise, I will assume that the change does not work and we will stay with the original schedule. __ Let’s talk about this in person Your Response: __ Yes, this change will work for me. __ This change will work for me if:_________________________________ __ This change does not work for me. From Cooperative Parenting and Divorce by Susan Blyth Boyan and Ann Marie Termini © 1999 - adapted by Linda Scher (rev. 5/18/10)[/expand]
Option for additional time
Use this when you are not available during your parenting time and you want to offer the other parent the first chance to be with the child. [expand title="View text"]
From: one parent To: the other parent Subject: Option for Additional Time Although our child/children are scheduled to be with me on ___________, I will be unavailable to care for them. Since we agree that the child/children should have an opportunity to be with you rather than someone else in this situation, I am offering you the option first. Here’s what the children have on their schedule during this time: __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ Please let me know by_______________. If I do not hear from you by then, I will make other arrangements. As always, I will let you know where they will be. Your Response: __ Yes, I will accept this option. __ I can accept this option if:_________________________________ __ No, I will decline this option. From Cooperative Parenting and Divorce by Susan Blyth Boyan and Ann Marie Termini © 1999 - adapted by Linda Scher (rev. 5/18/10)[/expand]
Medical update
Use this to let the other parent know about a medical appointment, when there is a change in your child's health, when you've given your child medication, etc. [expand title="View text"]
From: one parent
To: the other parent
Subject: Medical Update
I wanted to give you an update about our child’s health. Here are the details:
Child _________________________________________________________
Type of Update: ___ Preventative ___ Symptoms ___ Illness
Details: _______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Medication:
__ Prescribed (Doctor’s name and contact #) _____________________
__ Over-the-counter
Name of medication ______________________________________
Dosage __________________________________________________
Schedule:
__ take every______ hours
__ take _____ times a day
__ take as needed
Last taken (time and day) ________
__ child had a doctor’s appointment on ___________________________
__ child will see the doctor on (date and time) ______________________
__ child must finish all the medicine, even if symptoms are gone
Other instructions_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Your Response:
__ I received this and have no questions.
__ I have a question or comment:________________________________
___________________________________________________________
From Cooperative Parenting and Divorce by Susan Blyth Boyan and Ann Marie Termini © 1999 - adapted by Linda Scher (rev. 5/18/10)
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New activity - shared decision request
Use this when you need to talk to the other parent about a new activity or event you would like your child to be involved in. [expand title="View text"]
From: one parent
To: the other parent
Subject: New Activity - Shared Decision Request
I am considering making a commitment to something for our child. Here are the details:
Child ____________________________
What event/activity ______________________________________________
How this might benefit our child ___________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Location ________________________________________________________
Date ___________________________________________________________
Time ___________________________________________________________
Ongoing _______________________________________________________
Cost $_________________________________________________________
__ I am requesting that you share in: __ the cost __ the transportation
__ I am planning to: __ pay the cost myself __ transport child myself
I would prefer this to be a decision we make together. Please consider this idea and get back to me by _____________ so we can make plans.
___ If I do not hear from you by the above date, I will assume you do not object, and I will proceed.
__ Let’s talk about this in person
Your Response:
__ I agree to the activity
__ I would like to discuss this decision with you before I decide.
__ I will call you before the deadline
__ I will email/text you before the deadline
__ I would like to meet on (date) ____________ at (time) ___________
__ I do not agree to the activity because ____________________________
______________________________________________________________
__ I will pay ___% of the cost
__ I will provide ___% of the transportation
From Cooperative Parenting and Divorce by Susan Blyth Boyan and Ann Marie Termini © 1999 - adapted by Linda Scher (rev. 5/18/10)
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Concern about our child
Use this when you have a concern about your child that you want to share or discuss with the other parent. [expand title="View text"]
From: one parent To: the other parent Subject: Concern about our child I have this concern about our child, _______________: ___ SCHOOL: I have been notified by the school that our child is experiencing the following difficulties: _________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ __ school performance has dropped __ not turning in homework or completing school work __ problems with other students __ behavioral problems __ seems to need tutoring in _______________ __ attendance problem __ late __ skipping school __ absent __ HOME: I have noticed the following problems with our child at home: ____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __ trouble sleeping __ bedwetting __ chores __ homework __ attitude In an attempt to work as a team to help our child, I suggest: __ we meet to discuss this further __ we both do the following _____________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ I am already using the following consequences/motivators to address the problem: ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ I respect your parenting input, let me know your thoughts and your willingness to join me in addressing this situation. From Cooperative Parenting and Divorce by Susan Blyth Boyan and Ann Marie Termini © 1999 - adapted by Linda Scher (rev. 5/18/10)[/expand]
Event notice/update
Use this to let the other parent know about an event involving your child. [expand title="View text"]
From: one parent To: the other parent Subject: Event Notice/Update I wanted to let you know that our child has an activity coming up. Here are the details: Child ______________________________________________________ What event/activity _________________________________________ Location ___________________________________________________ Date ______________________________________________________ Time ______________________________________________________ Ongoing __________________________________________________ __ Additional Information attached __ FYI only __ Please come Your Response: __ I am planning to attend. __ I will not be attending. __ I have a question or comment: ______________________________ From Cooperative Parenting and Divorce by Susan Blyth Boyan and Ann Marie Termini © 1999 - adapted by Linda Scher (rev. 5/18/10)[/expand]
Child location notice/update
Use this to let the other parent know that your child will be somewhere other than the usual place. You might combine this with the Temporary Request for Schedule Change if you would have to change the schedule in order for your child to attend the event. [expand title="View text"]
From: one parent
To: the other parent
Subject: Child Location Notice/Update
I wanted to let you know that our child will be away from home for a time coming up. Here are the details:
Child ______________________________________________________
Leaving when ______________________________________________
Returning when _____________________________________________
Going where ________________________________________________
With whom _________________________________________________
Best way to contact child _____________________________________
Adult supervisor contact information ___________________________
__ Additional Information attached
__ There is a “Temporary Request for Schedule Change” that goes with this
notice
Your Response:
__ I received this and have no questions.
__ I have a question or comment: ______________________________
From Cooperative Parenting and Divorce by Susan Blyth Boyan and Ann Marie Termini © 1999 - adapted by Linda Scher (rev. 5/18/10)
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Parent location notice/update
Use this to let the other parent know that you will be somewhere other than the usual place, either with or without your child. You might combine this with the Temporary Request for Schedule Change if you would have to change the schedule in order for you to attend the event. [expand title="View text"]
From: one parent
To: the other parent
Subject: Parent Location Notice/Update
I wanted to let you know that I will be away from home for a time coming up. Here are the details:
Leaving when ___________________________________________________
Returning when _________________________________________________
Going where ____________________________________________________
Best way to contact me ___________________________________________
__ The children will be traveling with me
__ I’ve made these arrangements for the children’s care:
_____________________________________________________________
__ There is a “Temporary Request for Schedule Change” that goes with this
notice
__ Additional Information attached
Your Response:
__ I received this and have no questions.
__ I have a question or comment: ______________________________
From Cooperative Parenting and Divorce by Susan Blyth Boyan and Ann Marie Termini © 1999 - adapted by Linda Scher (rev. 5/18/10)
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