Creating a parenting plan is a crucial step for co-parents. But with the wide variety of schedules that courts and parents in Florida use, which one is the best?
There is no single best or perfect custody schedule. Nonetheless, you can create an ideal one. Below are four factors to consider to create a suitable parenting plan:
1. Your child’s age
Younger children need more frequent contact with both parents. Therefore, if you have a baby, toddler or preschooler, they can benefit from a schedule that allows frequent rotations, such as 2-2-3 or 3-4-4-3.
If you have a teenager, they can work with fewer transitions, such as alternating weeks. Older children have a growing need for independence, and most of them have complex schedules that include school, extracurricular activities and social life.
2. Your child’s specific needs
It’s important to consider your child’s specific needs, including medical, developmental, educational, emotional and social needs. For example, if your child struggles with change, choose a schedule with fewer transitions. If your child has a medical issue, you want a schedule that allows easy access to doctors, therapists and treatments, and so forth.
3. Your child’s daily schedule
If your child goes to school or daycare, pick a schedule that does not substantially interrupt their daily routine.
4. Your daily schedule
How you and your co-parent live matters when creating a parenting plan. It’s more effective to create a plan around your work schedules and lifestyle. For instance, if one of you travels for work, you can choose a schedule that lets the parent who does not travel be with the child most of the time, but is flexible enough to add extra days for the traveling parent when they are home.
A custody schedule significantly influences the success of co-parenting. You and your co-parent need to make informed decisions when creating a parenting plan.