As a parent, your primary concern for your California family during a divorce is ensuring your children have what they need for a strong and stable future. You want to create a custody and visitation plan that will allow them to maintain strong relationships with both parents as this is in their best interests. Even if this means setting aside your temporary emotions and preferences, you want to create a child-centered parenting plan.
A child can feel the negative effects from a divorce, and you naturally want to shield him or her from any unnecessary duress or strain. This means being thoughtful and intentional about the terms of your parenting plan. You and the other parent can work together to create a strategy that will allow you to protect the best interests of your kids while still protecting the relationship you have with them.
What’s in your plan?
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to creating a beneficial and practical parenting plan. You can custom-tailor these agreements to suit the needs of your kids and your needs as a parent. No one knows your children like you do, and you can create a plan that will provide them with as much stability as possible during and after the divorce. Some things you may want in your plan include:
- Visitation schedules, including drop-off and pick-up procedures
- How you and the other parent will make important decisions for the child
- How you and the other parent will share physical custody
- Where the child will live during the holidays and school breaks
- Vacation schedules and procedures for unexpected situations
- Procedures for how you and the other parent will resolve any disputes that arise
It will require clear communication about your goals, concerns and needs to create a plan that will benefit your kids. One key to developing a sustainable plan is to set aside your own temporary emotions and focus on the needs of the kids above all else.
The kids come first
Creating a parenting plan can be emotional and complicated for two parents who are going through a divorce. If you are wondering how you can support and care for your children during this time, you may want to focus on the process of developing a parenting plan that will be sustainable for years to come. Above everything else, putting the kids first will lead to happier and more secure children.
