shared
parenting
plan

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SHARED PARENTING PLAN

For those that might not be familiar with this type of parenting, a shared parenting plan can be adopted after a divorce or a separation where the child spends time with each of the parents separately.

Ideally, the child will move from one parent’s home to another but there is also another form of arrangement known as the Bird’s nest where the child will stay in one home and the parents alternate around that.

For this type of parenting to work, the time that the child spends with each of the family members is supposed to be equal. Anything less than 35% is not be regarded as shared parenting.

The intention of a shared parenting plan is to ensure that both parent take equal care of their children.

Solent Family mediation shared parenting plan

Open communication is essential in a shared parenting plan. Regularly discussing your child's needs, schedules, and any changes in circumstances helps ensure that both parents are on the same page. This ongoing dialogue fosters cooperation and reduces misunderstandings, making it easier to address any issues that arise. By keeping the lines of communication open, parents can work together to provide a consistent and supportive environment for their child, which is crucial for their emotional and psychological well-being

A detailed parenting plan outlines clear responsibilities and routines, providing stability and predictability for your child. This plan should include specifics such as living arrangements, visitation schedules, and how holidays and special occasions will be handled.
By having a well-defined plan, both parents know what to expect, which reduces conflict and ensures that the child's needs are consistently met. A comprehensive plan also helps children feel more secure, as they know what to expect and can rely on a stable routine

THE BENEFITS OF shared parenting plan

A shared parenting plan offers numerous benefits for both children and parents. It fosters stronger relationships between children and each parent by ensuring both are actively involved in their lives. This balanced approach helps children feel more secure and reduces feelings of loss or abandonment. Additionally, shared parenting minimizes loyalty conflicts, where children feel torn between parents, and promotes healthier emotional development.

For parents, it encourages cooperation and reduces misunderstandings, creating a more stable and harmonious environment. Overall, a well-structured shared parenting plan supports the well-being of the entire family, helping everyone adjust more smoothly to the changes brought by divorce

Shared Parenting Plan making them work

For shared parenting plan to work, there are three factors that have to be met:

• The child and their needs should be prioritised and the child’s opinion on the arrangements as time moves on.

• Supportive, cooperative parenting has to be agreed upon and the arrangements have to be flexible.

• Both households should be able to make the child feel comfortable and at home.

Conflict Of Interest

Should there be a conflict of interest in any parent, they should be able to put it aside and look out for the interests of the child.

The parents should also make sure that they do not interfere with each other’s parenting, they have to compromise unless the child is put at risk. The parenting methods maybe different but the goal is the same.

In the event that the parents have an outstanding issue, there are ways that they can be able to explore that can make this type of parenting work.

For instance, they can have handovers and the best way to do this would be picking the child up from school or through intermediaries.

If your partner has an issue about say your drinking or driving. You can simply take an undertaking with the court where you vow not to do the things that are raising concern. From there, if you break the vows, then the court can fine or imprison you.

Shared parenting plan and the courts

Recently, the courts have found the number situations in which shared parenting is ideal to grow and consequently, some of the difficulties that have faced this type of arrangement have been solved.

The courts are now viewing shared parenting as the default method of parenting and will order sole residence in very exceptional circumstances. This has been evidenced by their tendency to order this kind of parenting in parents that have conflicts and even those that live quite some distance apart.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE YOU OPT FOR SHARED PARENTING.

• How far apart the two parents live.

• Are there any allegations about you that have been made by the other parent?

• Do you know if the mother is still breastfeeding the child?

• If you have appropriate and comfortable accommodation for your child.

• How likely are you to be away from home for long periods like weeks or months?

• Are you able to do the parental chores and cook for your children?

CAFCASS will have to be involved to ascertain issues like the suitability of your home to your child, who is responsible for the child when you’re aware and the suitability of your news partner.to do this, they will come into your home and carry out the background checks.

Plan your parenting properly with the most important questions in mind like why you should be in your child’s life. To make sure your plan is leak-proof you can ask the court to send you a booklet on parenting plans.

Using spreadsheets, make sure you detail all the time that the child has stayed with you. The essence of this is so that you can show the judge that you have the ability to take care of your child.

You have to be able to show how involved you have been in the youngster’s life so as to become a paragon of parenthood.

You should also be prepared that to prove that single parenting could hurt your child’s welfare and how it violates his right to be in a family. For his education, you can prove how involved you have been through his homework.

This way you’re armed so that should the case go to a court of law, you’re more than prepared to prove to the judge that shared parenting is the best option for your child.