A parenting plan is an in-depth outline of how parents intend to share parental rights and responsibilities. Most people think of parenting plans as basic custody orders that divide parenting time between the adults.
That is certainly a key element of any effective parenting plan. However, parenting plans also have to provide guidance for a variety of different scenarios that may arise as parents share custody. There are many secondary inclusions that can prove beneficial for the family. The following are some of the most important matters to address in a parenting plan if people hope to minimize conflict in a shared custody arrangement.
Rules for holidays, birthdays and other events
Some special events recur every year. Birthdays and major holidays are predictable annual occurrences that parents can strategically divide as part of their arrangement. They may also need to have rules in place for one-time special events like basketball tournaments and school plays. Addressing how to handle both recurring and one-time special events can help ensure that both parents are present on days that matter for the children.
Rules for family communication
Interacting with a parent doesn’t just happen during their parenting time. Children need to have ways to communicate with each of their parents while they are with the other parent. Including provisions that allow a child to have unmonitored phone calls with the other parent or other forms of communication, including video calls and email, can help ensure the strengths of the parent-child bond and prevent conflict over inappropriate monitoring.
A plan for overcoming conflict
No matter how thorough parents are when they initially establish a parenting plan, there may be decisions or scheduling adjustments that lead to conflict between them. One of the best ways to minimize such conflict is to have a rule for addressing disputes when they arise. A conflict resolution system provides parents with a specific way to approach and resolve disagreements regarding their shared parental responsibilities. Whether they agree to communicate in writing or sit down with a trusted professional, such as a counselor or pastor, establishing a conflict resolution plan helps parents deal with the inevitable disputes that crop up when co-parenting.
Integrating the right terms into a parenting plan can help ease the stress of shared custody arrangements. Parents who establish clear rules, expectations and boundaries may have an easier time working cooperatively for the sake of their shared children.