One of the most important things that parents want to do after divorce is protect the interests of their children. As a parent, you understand how critical it is to provide as much continuity of lifestyle as possible and reduce the emotional strain they experience during and after divorce. The end of a marriage is difficult, but there are steps you can take to make things easier for the youngest members of your family.
In your effort to provide your kids with a stable and secure environment, one of the things you can do is craft a thoughtful and sustainable parenting plan. This will allow your child to have peace of mind and regular access to both parents. These are two things that are greatly beneficial for kids after their parents divorce.
What makes a plan “good”?
Every family is different, and each parenting plan should be different as well. In order to ensure that your plan works well, you will want to be thorough and thoughtful as you work with the other parent on a custody arrangement. This may require that you set aside temporary emotions for the benefit of your children. Some of the things you and the other parent will want to work through in this process include the following:
- How drop-off and pick-up procedures will work between the parents’ houses
- How parents will make important decisions for the children
- Where the children will spend holidays, summer vacations and other important events
- How and when the children will see grandparents and other family members
- How the parents will share custody and how much time the kids will be at each house
You have the right to work on a parenting plan and custody schedule without the input of the court. It is often easier and more practical to work on an agreement out of court, but your final plan will still be subject to court approval before finalization.
Putting the kids first
The point of any custody or visitation plan is to put the needs of the kids first. It can help to keep this as your focus as you deal with some of the most complex aspects of your divorce. Even if you expect to create a parenting plan own your own with the other parent, you will still find it beneficial to seek legal guidance as you make these important decisions that will affect your Texas family for years to come.