Making an Effective Child Visitation Calendar

Creating a child visitation calendar is one of the most important things you can do after you separate or divorce from your partner. A child visitation calendar outlines when the children will spend time with either parent. Because your children need to build and maintain healthy and strong relationships with each parent so a visitation calendar is needed. It is also beneficial for parents to have a calendar because it details when each parent has the children. As you make your visitation calendar, consider this information so you can make the best possible calendar:

• The ages and maturity levels of your children
• How well your children adapt to change
• The emotional, physical and social needs of your children
• The relationships your children share with siblings and extended family members
• The parents' ability to meet the children's needs
• The parents' relationships with the children
• Your children's current residence and how long they have lived there
• The distance between parents' homes
• The school activities and current community environment in which your children participate
• The parents' social and work schedules
• Previous and current caregiving roles of each parent

Thinking about the above information, it will be easier for you to create a visitation calendar that meets your children's needs. It is also important that you keep the focus on your children so you will be less worried about yourself. As you make difficult and important decisions on behalf of your children, you want to have their needs as your first priority. If you make a calendar based around your own needs, it will not be successful. So, what makes up a successful visitation calendar?

• A regular schedule - This is an everyday routine or repeating cycle of custody
• A schedule for holidays - This shows how your children will spend each holiday
• Special events and vacations - This is a schedule your children follow when they are not in school, when either parent takes the children on a vacation or when special events occur
• Calendar provisions - Provisions are guidelines included to make your calendar more effective and make it easier to resolve parental disputes

As create an effective visitation calendar, remember that your children are your number one priority. They need to know you are trying to make things work just for them. Having a calendar is one of many ways to show them you care.

Make the best of your child visitation calendar with Custody X Change. This innovative and unique software offers parents resources to make visitation schedules, custody agreements and parenting plans.