Working Together to Face New Challenges with the Children’s Best Interest at Heart
Parenting does not stop once there is a separation or divorce. Learning how to co-parent by keeping the children’s best interest at heart can be challenging at best. As the Co-Parenting Coach, I meet with the two of you to craft a Co-Parenting Plan.
What is a Co-Parenting Plan?
The Plan is divided into several sections which include: What is the difference between legal custody and physical custody? How do you share parenting time? If there is a change in residence, how soon do you need to let the other parent know? How do you keep holiday traditions and connection with extended family? How do you keep each other informed of important medical care and concerns? If you are unable to provide care during your parenting time, do you notify the other parent first so they can step in before you hire a childcare provider? If there is alcohol or substance use, how are the children guaranteed safety? How and when should the children meet a new romantic partner? Who decides and provides transportation for the kids to various activities after school or on weekends? Who pays for them? How do you decide when to take a vacation with your kids that will not impose a hardship on the other parent?
When I meet with parents who have minor children, we create a Co-Parenting Plan. It is a roadmap of how to deal with the day to day challenges of shared parenting. All ideas, concerns, and questions that each parent has is addressed in the plan. As the Co-Parenting Coach, I provide information about the children’s developmental needs now and in the future. The final plan outlines every issue or situation that could come up with co-parenting and how you have agreed to handle them. Both parents sign the agreement and it becomes a legal document when submitted to the court with the Marital Settlement Agreement.
