Sometimes, divorce can be inevitable. If you happen to share children, you may have some difficult decisions to make with regard to their care and your involvement in their lives going forward. One example involves coming up with a parenting plan that will work for everyone.
There are a number of things you need to take into account when creating your post-divorce parenting plan. Here are some of them:
Being mindful of the logistics
If you are sharing a considerable amount of parenting time, it is vital that you live close enough to each other so transportation can be manageable for both parties and the kids. Remember to factor the bussing to and from both homes, especially if you have school-going children.
The availability of a child care provider is another important logistical consideration to take into account. If your children are already used to a regular babysitter, it is only sensible that you come up with a parenting plan that does not interfere with this relationship. This will minimize the number of changes children will have to deal with following the divorce.
Think about any special needs and schedules
As parents, you definitely know your kids’ needs. If you have kids with special needs, you understand better than anyone how their limitations impact their daily lives and interactions. As you come up with a parenting arrangement for your children, it is important that you understand how you can help them get the most out of life. This way, you will be able to come up with a parenting plan that suits such needs and challenges.
Also, if your kids have extracurricular activities they participate in after school, it is important that you keep this in mind when planning your parenting schedule. The last thing you want is to come up with a parenting schedule that forces your kids to give up their favorite activity.
Child custody and parenting plan are usually some of the most contentious items during the divorce process. However, doing everything you can to keep your kids out of your differences should be your utmost priority. This will help you create a parenting plan that addresses their best interest.