Do you have an effective Parenting Plan?

As a separated or divorced parent, it is important for you to create a parenting plan upon which both parents can agree. A parenting plan is essential to making your child custody situation work. Parenting plans detail how parenting time is divided and other guidelines the parents must follow in order for their child to maintain continuing contact with each parent. What is it that goes into a parenting plan?

Here are the basic components that are essential to an effective parenting plan:

• Parenting time schedule – A parenting time schedule is a schedule that the parents follow. It defines the child’s everyday schedule and holiday and vacation schedules. It should include all information about physical custody and how it is divided between parents. To make a holiday schedule, you should make a list of all holidays your family celebrates and divide them fairly. A vacation schedule should be made similarly. The holiday and vacation schedules take precedence over the regular schedule.
• Information about providing care – Dividing your child’s care is important. This information should include which parent provides medical and dental care, your child’s educational needs and any other special needs your child may have. How care is provided for your child is important for both parents to know and provide the best care for your child.
• Information about child support and other expenses – You need to include information about all expenses and child support for your child. Information such as which parent pays child support, how much is paid and how often it is paid should be included. Expenses outside of child support should also be detailed. Expenses such as your child’s extracurricular activities, sports fees and more should be included.
• Extra rules or provisions – Provisions and other guidelines may need to be included to make your parenting plan better. Provisions such as right of first refusal, if parents can smoke or drink alcohol in front of the children, that parents cannot speak negatively about one another in front of the children and other rules should be included.
• Any additional information – You should include any extra information that is pertinent to providing care and raising your child.

As a parent, you want what is best for your child. Keep your child’s best interests in mind as you create your parenting plan and it will be much more effective. Do your best to provide exceptional care and work with the other parent to create the best life for your child. You can make the best parenting plan by working with the other parent as much as possible.