Crafting a Co-Parenting Plan

When your family is going through a major change like divorce, having a co-parenting plan can help both parents come to an agreement on what is best for the children. The purpose of a parenting plan is to outline how the children will be cared for and the exact responsibilities of each parent. A parenting plan can be as detailed as is necessary to spell out the parenting time rights and other obligations of each parent relating to the children’s best interests.

Think About the Best Interests of the Child

When you are crafting your plan, try to think about everything from the perspective of each of your children. Take time to truly think about each decision and manage how to best fit each child’s physical and emotional needs. Think about how your potential parenting plan will affect your child. For example, for the child’s housing situation, consider factors like the child’s school and any extracurricular activities. If one of the parents lives closer to the school, it may be best for the child to reside with that parent during weekdays. It goes without saying that every child’s needs are different, and you and the other parent hopefully can work together to craft a plan that best fits the needs of each of your children.

Not Everything Needs to be Equal

When separating, many parents want to split everything 50/50. This can be a great way for both parents to have equal time with their child, but it can also strain the child’s physical and emotional health. You should consider such concepts as how your child is with change and the specific strengths and  needs of your child when writing your parenting plan, and consider the following alternatives to simply having the child switch houses every couple of days:

• Have the child live with one parent during the school year and then other for school breaks
• Have the child live with each parent for two weeks at a time

Ensure that your parenting plan considers holidays and birthdays, as this can lead to an argument if not considered in advance. There is no one plan that fits all situations, and you and the other parent are always going to be in the best position to understand the best ways to raise your particular children.

Communication is Key

When writing your co-parenting plan, as with putting the plan into effect, the most important component is communicating with your co-parent. Understand the boundaries of your co-parenting relationship before making assumptions. You have to be able to decide how you will make tough decisions together and what you will do in cases of emergencies. Each party should consider the strengths and weaknesses of each parent, hopefully without anger or bias. The best parenting situations occur when the parents work together as a unit to raise their children, and this can be accomplished even if the parents are no longer together.

Write a Parenting Plan with an Experienced Attorney

It can be tricky to include all facets of the child’s life in a parenting plan, and it can be very easy to overlook essential details. Having another set of eyes could help you avoid any arguments or disagreements in the future. A compassionate attorney at Moskowitz Law Group can help you figure out what is best for you and your family. Call today.