For many Florida couples, deciding to divorce is the start of a long road filled with decisions, debates and compromises. Whether your split is amicable or contentious, creating and agreeing on a parenting plan can be frustrating and heart-wrenching. At Cauthen, Oldham & Associates, P.A. we have experience in and out of the courtroom to help ensure the best possible outcome for you and your children.
According to VeryWell Family, a parenting plan is about more than splitting child custody and responsibilities. It is also about showing your kids that you can work together, making sure they are happy, cared for and loved. When you sit down with the parenting plan, put yourself in your children’s place. Imagine what daily life will be like for them. How does traveling between two homes and living with only one parent affect the rest of their life?
If you and your ex each want significant parenting time, consider the logistics. Traveling between two homes that are on opposite sides of town can make daily changes difficult, especially if the kids are in school. Do you currently have a babysitter for a few hours after school? Can that person travel to both homes throughout the week? If not, how will changing the caregiver affect them?
As children become more independent and join teams and clubs, afterschool activities become frequent. The parenting plan should consider their routine and work around it if possible. Although asking input from small children is likely impractical, older children may have a very strong opinion about how much time and when they spend with you and your ex.
Discussing the parenting plan as a family gives them an opportunity to make their wishes known, which may help make the transition easier. Visit our webpage for more information on this topic.
