A parenting plan is a plan for how the parents will share the responsibility of raising their children after their divorce is over. It is a timeshare schedule that would work for both parents and the needs of the children, depending on their age. It can become complicated, especially with tight schedules and high tensions. Here is how to put together a parenting plan.
Creating Your Parenting Plan
The best way to develop a parenting plan that works for your family unit is to communicate on the challenges that each parent faces and to get the assistance of a mediator. The mediator can facilitate the conversation, ask the right questions, and ease tensions if the parents are not able to talk to each other. In the session with the mediator, parents can sit down and talk about where the parents are in terms of their schedules and the children’s schedules, including whether they are in school or out of school for the summer. The mediator strategizes and problem-solves with the parents to come up with a plan that works for everyone involved.
The Benefit of Having a Parenting Plan
A parenting plan helps parents to ultimately not argue about the kids because they have a written document that they can fall back on. A parenting plan gives the children a sense of structure and security about their daily activities. Of course, emergencies and special circumstances can alter a parenting. Ultimately, the parenting plan maintains consistency and eliminates needless arguments and serves as a guide that will make raising the children easier for both parents.
If you are considering divorce and would like to know what your options are, contact us at Kim Mediation and Law Center for a free 15-minute phone consultation.