Developing an Effective Parenting Plan

Child custody and divorce are difficult ordeals for both parents and children. As a parent, it is essential that your child's needs are met. Making a parenting plan that works for both parents and especially your child is important. Adverse effects on your child because of a divorce may include depression, anxiety, behavioral problems, eating disorders and possibly even drug use.

Because your child's needs are most important, creating an effective parenting plan that accommodates all of your child's needs is essential. Developing a parenting plan that works for both parents and your child may include the following:

• driving time to and from your child's events or social gatherings;

• meeting places to pick up and drop off your child;

• fairly splitting social gatherings and events between parents;

• details as to how regular, holiday and vacation schedules will work;

• a system of sharing your child's information between parents;

• details as to how financial obligations for your child are worked out;

• determinations as to whom cares for your child in the event of sickness or other possible problems, who takes your child to dental or doctor appointments and who attends school field trips; and

• ways to dissolve arguments or disagreements that may arise between parents.

Developing an effective parenting plan may help create easier interactions between parents and create a better life for your child. Other specific benefits of having a working parenting plan include:

• Peace of mind

• Less stress

• A child safety net so your child does not fall through the cracks

• Keeping the focus on your child rather than on arguments or disagreements between parents

• Having a routine that promotes emotional safety for your child

• Easier to make plans for spending quality time with your child

• Possibly avoiding going back to court to resolve disputes

An effective parenting plan eases the pain and anxiety of divorce and child custody. It decreases animosity between parents and makes life better for your child as he or she knows how his or her life will generally be working. An effective parenting plan decreases confusion and increases healthy interactions between parents and child.

Creating a working parenting plan does not have to be a difficult process and keeps your child as the focus of your life rather than the other parent or disagreements between parents as the focus. An effective parenting plan works for the benefit of both parents and most importantly, your child. Learn more about developing an effective parenting plan at Custody X Change.