Developing a Good Parenting Plan

Developing a good parenting plan with the other parent can be a challenging and emotional process, but it is crucial to ensure that the children’s needs are met and their well-being is prioritized. Here are some steps you can follow to develop a successful parenting plan:

1. Communicate: Open communication is key to developing a successful parenting plan. You and the other parent need to sit down and have a frank and honest discussion about your children’s needs, schedules, and preferences.
2. Focus on the children: Remember that the goal of the parenting plan is to create a structure that works best for the children, not for the parents. Keep the children’s needs and well-being at the forefront of the discussion.
3. Be flexible: A parenting plan should be flexible enough to accommodate changes in the children’s schedules and needs. It is important to establish a process for making changes to the plan if needed.
4. Consider the details: Your parenting plan should address important details such as holidays, school schedules, transportation, and childcare arrangements. Think about all the day-to-day logistics involved in raising your children and try to address them in the plan.
5. Get help if needed: If you and the other parent are struggling to come up with a parenting plan on your own, consider getting the help of a mediator or a family law attorney. They can help you work through any issues or disputes that may arise.
6. Put it in writing: Once you have developed a parenting plan, it is important to put it in writing and make sure that both parents agree to it. This will help prevent misunderstandings and provide a clear roadmap for co-parenting.

Put the parenting plan in the form of a court order so it is enforceable. While it’s commendable where the parties can work informally and follow an unenforceable agreement, there are times where that just isn’t possible and a parent needs the ability to enforce any of the parenting plan terms. Acquiring a court order would require a court proceeding and judges order after hearing.

Remember that the parenting plan is a living document that may need to be adjusted over time. By working together with the other parent and putting the children’s needs first, you can create a plan that works well for everyone involved.