Exchanging custody is a necessity if you and your ex share custody of the kids after a divorce, but it may not be something you enjoy. It’s difficult to see the children leave you and go with your ex. Maybe the two of you really don’t get along. Maybe it just leads to arguments and disagreements every time.
If so, school really may be the best place to do the exchange. For one thing, it’s a public place and neutral site, which is often recommended in high-conflict cases. It may make things go smoothly, and it may help you and your ex keep your emotions under control.
Plus, it may mean you don’t actually have to see each other. Say that you get your child for a week, and then your ex gets them for the next week. If you do the exchange on the weekend (Sunday night, for instance) you have to meet up. If you instead decide to do it on Monday after school, though, the parent who has the children can bring them to school in the morning. The other parent can pick them up at the end of the school day. You still smoothly exchange custody, but the two of you don’t have to interact at all.
There are drawbacks to this system. For instance, it doesn’t work in the summer. It may also make it more difficult for the children to bring everything they need to school. But it is worth considering if you’re trying to determine how to make your child custody arrangement work, and you’re looking into the options and legal rights that you have.