When you are going on a trip but you don't know how to get there, what should you do? If you don't have a road map you will wind up somewhere but not where you want to be.
Parenting plans are like a road map between parents so that they not only agree where they want to go but how to get there.
What is the difference between a custody agreement and a parenting plan?
A custody agreement is usually two or three pages and addresses legal and physical custody, the child's primary residence, and a brief co-parenting schedule.
A parenting plan goes into much more detail and addresses healthcare, education (schools, classes, tutors, special education), childcare/daycare, religious worship/training, detailed co-parenting schedules (daily, weekly, monthly, vacations, holidays, holy days), living situations (move-away, commuting, residents), sports (school/league/neighborhood), travel (permissions, locations, timing), financial (child support, tax exemption, add-ons), lifestyle (drug/alcohol/dating/sex) and much more.
When going through a divorce or seperation it is sometimes easy to overlook the small things that protect our children. In your parenting plan you need to address ALL issues regarding the child or children- not just the big issues, such as protective gear when playing sports. And which sports they are allowed to play.
Welcome to our KidsFirst! blog, where we provide separating and divorcing parents with valuable, practical parenting advice and legal information to help protect children during this critical time.
We would appreciate any suggestions and comments that will improve both KidsFirst! parenting plan software and the KidsFirst! blog.
Henry Koltys
