Where to begin: Parenting Plans

A brief look at what you should consider when chatting to your partner about concluding a parenting plan.

• Where will the child primarily reside?
  Geographical considerations (Will the parents live within a certain distance of each other?)
• Childcare and babysitting arrangements (Do the parents have first right of refusal when the contact parent is unavailable?)
• Communication with child while with the other parent (Will communication be through phone, e-mail, pictures, Skype? Do you intend on limiting the amount of electronic communication?)
• Logistical Arrangements when the child moves between homes? (What are the details about drop-off and pick-up? Consider specifying times, days, location, and the person responsible for pick up and drop off)
• Moving (What if one parent proposes to move? What if one parent proposes to move with the child? How much notice should be given? How will notice be given?
• Child’s social life (How will the child spend time with friends? Who will take the child to social events such as birthday parties or sleepovers? Will the parents share a social calendar and be permitted to make play dates during the other parent’s contact times?
• Changes to the parenting schedule (Discuss circumstances that might require schedule changes: illness, lateness, social events, special occasions, unforeseen events. How will schedule changes be managed? there be make-up time?)
• Child’s belongings (Will belongings move between homes with your child? Will your child have two sets of some items? Who will purchase which items for your child?)
• Vacation, holidays and special days (What arrangements will be made? Will the child spend certain holidays with one parent every year? Will holidays alternate between households?)
• Religious upbringing and activities (How will these decisions be made?)

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