A parenting plan may address any number of issues related to child custody, parenting time schedules, decision-making responsibilities and other important details related to a child’s upbringing. It serves as a legally binding set of co-parenting or parallel parenting expectations.
The primary goal of a parenting plan is to provide a structured and stable environment for a child and their family. As such, they should be tailored to reflect the unique circumstances of a particular child’s family and a child’s unique needs.
Components of many parenting plans
A comprehensive parenting plan typically addresses several concerns. Although each family’s parenting plan should be crafted in personalized ways, most address the following matters:
- Parenting time arrangements: Parenting plans generally outline when each co-parent will have parenting time. Detailed schedules for when the child will spend time with each parent, including weekdays, weekends, holidays and school vacations, can help to set expectations and allow everyone to operate “on the same page.”
- Decision-making responsibilities: A parenting plan can specify how decisions regarding the child’s education, healthcare, extracurricular activities and religious upbringing will be made.
- Communication and virtual visitation guidelines: A parenting plan can establish how and when parents will communicate with each other and the child, when each is separated from them. Some co-parents detail virtual visitation expectations in their parenting plan so that they don’t have to draft a supplemental document.
Many parenting plans also address financial responsibilities that extend past base child support obligations, how the child will travel between homes and even how parents will go about resolving any co-parenting disputes that arise between them.
Getting started
Creating a workable parenting plan requires cooperation, clear communication and a focus on the child’s best interests. With that said, if the terms of the plan aren’t workable for both parents as well, they won’t be sustainable over time. Therefore, the entire family’s unique needs should be considered as a personalized plan is drafted.
If you need to craft a parenting plan with your ex, keep in mind that a detailed plan will leave less room for misunderstandings and disputes. And yet, there is a delicate balancing act. While it’s important to have a structured plan, it’s also important to remain flexible. Life circumstances change, and the plan should be adaptable to accommodate unforeseen events or changes in your child’s needs.
If it feels like being told to set detailed expectations while remaining flexible is akin to being told to pat your head and rub your stomach simultaneously, fear not. Seeking personalized feedback to help you manage your unique circumstances is always an option.
