Things to Consider When Creating a Parenting Plan
Successful parenting plans vary in the details, but all are guided by a common goal of putting children first. Consider these tips for creating a parenting plan that meets your family's needs.
April 04, 2012
Deciding how to share parenting time and responsibilities is often one of the most difficult tasks for parents going through a divorce or separation. While the process of reaching an agreement on these sensitive issues can be challenging, a carefully crafted child custody and visitation agreement can help foster and protect parent-child relationships for years to come.Keep the Children's Best Interests in Mind
Successful parenting plans can vary greatly from one to the next, but they all share the same guiding principle: doing what is best for the children.
As a general rule, children tend to be better off when they have ongoing, meaningful relationships with both parents. Depending on the circumstances, this might be achieved by creating a joint custody arrangement in which both parents share equally in childcare and decision-making, or by establishing a child's "home base" with one parent and arranging a visitation schedule with the other.
To determine the basic structure of your parenting plan, it can be helpful to reflect on your current and past family circumstances with questions such as:
-Did you and the other parent share equally in childcare duties before separating?
-What are each parent's strengths and weaknesses as a caregiver?
-Would moving to a new home disrupt your children's relationships with other members of the family, such as grandparents or half-siblings?
-Would your children have difficulty adapting to a new school or making new friends?
Address the Details in Advance
Once you decide on the basic structure of your plan, you may want to guard against future conflicts by giving some thought to the easily overlooked details. These may include:
-Who will be responsible for scheduling the children's routine medical and dental appointments?
-Who will transport the children when they travel from one parent's home to the other?
-Who will care for your children when they are sick and cannot go to school?
-How will you coordinate parenting time on your children's birthdays and other special occasions?
Bear in mind that you may need to make adjustments to your parenting schedule as your children grow and family circumstances change. Contact an attorney with a background in family law for help creating a parenting plan that is uniquely tailored to meet the needs of your family.
Article provided by Schneiders & Schneiders
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