What I Wish I Put in My Parenting Plan
My husband and I created a parenting plan before our son was born. We worked with a lawyer to make sure it was comprehensive and covered all the important issues, like custody, visitation, and decision-making. But there were a few things I wish we had included in the plan that would have made our lives easier down the road.
One thing I wish we had included was a provision for how we would handle disagreements. We both had strong opinions about how our son should be raised, and we knew that there would be times when we disagreed. We didn’t have a clear process for resolving these disagreements, and it led to some conflict.
Communication is Key
It is important to have a plan in place for how you will communicate with each other about your child. This could include setting up a specific time each week to talk about your son, or creating a shared online calendar where you can keep track of appointments and activities. It is also important to agree on how you will handle disagreements. You should have a process in place for resolving these disagreements, and you should both be willing to compromise.
Another thing I wish we had included in our parenting plan was a provision for how we would handle changes in our circumstances. We both knew that our lives would change over time, and we wanted to make sure that our parenting plan was flexible enough to accommodate these changes. We didn’t include any specific provisions for this, and it led to some confusion and conflict when our circumstances did change.
Don’t Forget About the Little Things
Finally, I wish we had included more details about the little things. We included the basics, like who would be responsible for taking our son to school and who would be responsible for making dinner. But we didn’t include any details about things like how we would handle holidays or what our son’s bedtime would be. These little things can be a source of conflict if they’re not discussed in advance.
If you’re creating a parenting plan, I encourage you to think about all the possible scenarios that could come up and to include provisions for how you will handle them. This will help to avoid conflict down the road and make co-parenting easier.
Tips and Expert Advice
Here are a few tips and pieces of expert advice for creating a parenting plan that will meet your needs:
- Think about all the possible scenarios that could come up. What if one of you moves? What if you have another child? What if your son gets sick? It’s impossible to predict the future, but you can try to think of as many scenarios as possible and include provisions for how you will handle them.
- Be specific. Don’t just say that you will share custody. Specify how much time each of you will have with your son. Don’t just say that you will make decisions jointly. Specify how you will resolve disagreements.
- Be flexible. Your circumstances will change over time, so your parenting plan should be flexible enough to accommodate these changes.
- Get help from a lawyer. A lawyer can help you to create a parenting plan that is tailored to your specific needs. A lawyer can also help you to understand your legal rights and responsibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is a parenting plan?
A: A parenting plan is a legal document that outlines the rights and responsibilities of each parent after a divorce or separation.
Q: What should I include in my parenting plan?
A: At a minimum, your parenting plan should include provisions for custody, visitation, and decision-making. You may also want to include provisions for things like holidays, extracurricular activities, and religious upbringing.
Q: How can I change my parenting plan?
A: You can only change your parenting plan if both parents agree to the changes or if a judge orders the changes.
Q: What happens if I don’t follow my parenting plan?
A: If you don’t follow your parenting plan, the other parent may file a motion with the court to enforce the plan. The court may then order you to follow the plan or may impose sanctions, such as fines or jail time.
Conclusion
Creating a parenting plan is an important part of the divorce or separation process. By taking the time to create a comprehensive plan, you can help to avoid conflict and make co-parenting easier.
Would you like to learn more about parenting plans? If so, please consult with a family law attorney or visit the website of your local court.
