Once a divorce has been finalized, each party is able to move forward however they please. But when there are children involved, moving forward may not be as easy. Parents may need to speak to each other and consult with each other if they have agreed that their child will be able to live and spend time with each parent.
In order to manage co-parenting amicably, it’s best advised to develop some sort of parenting plan that clearly outlines each parents’ responsibilities, and how to resolve any issues that arise.
As outlined on the Government of Canada website, there are many issues that parents may need to iron out in a parenting plan. Depending on your relationship with the other parent, you may not need to iron out every detail, but it’s best to consult with a legal professional to figure out what items you should put down on paper that make sense for your family.
One of the major considerations parents should discuss is holidays. It’s common for families to alternate holidays – so if one parent gets a child for the Easter long weekend this year, the other parent gets the child for Easter long weekend next year. However, the important part of parenting plans is to remember is that they are rarely black and white. What happens if it’s Parent A’s turn to have a child for a weekend, but Parent B has an important family function wants to bring the child?
It’s essential to have a plan on how to communicate grey areas as they arise, and how to resolve them amicably. Regardless if parents are married, together or divorced and separated, raising children is a complex task. Communication is critical to making sure this process is as seamless as possible, especially when a child is splitting time between two homes.