A thread dealt with this discussion here, but it contained discussions about leadership as well, and never really had much discussion on children. But I'd like some feedback from other clerks, on a ward or stake level.
When you have families with children that spend time regularly in two wards, such as in the case of shared custody of the children, how do you handle the records to make sure that both wards share in the shepherding of the child when they attend? This, of course can extend into YM and YW as well. It has the potential to allow these children / youth to "fall through the cracks" as both wards think the other one is watching over them, or allow them to slip into in-activity when residing at the "other" ward because nobody there will know about them as their records are not there. In reality, shouldn't both sets of leaders in both wards work together for the benefit of the member? This becomes even more important depending on the activity level of one or both parents/guardians.
Problem: The record "is to be kept in the ward" where they youth or child lives (ses CHI bk 1, 13.6) This can only be one ward, but they actually "live" in the two wards they spend their time in!
Solutions: What have you found that works? Obviously, a bishopric level discussion amongst the parents/guardians and the two sets of leaders really should occur, to make sure the home record is in the right location.
- Has anyone tried the "out-of-unit" record method for a child or youth that spends part time in your unit but you will not get the record because you are not the "home unit?" Does it put them in classes correctly if you are the "out-of-unit" ward? Does it even work?
- What about creating a simple "non-member" record (without a birthdate it can't put them in classes automatically, but you could do it manually.) At least the child/youth will show on the rolls so they are not forgotten. We've done this with non-member children that attend regularly, an it works ok in that case.