Creating a parenting plan is a vital step for separated or divorced parents. However, many parents feel uncertain about what to include in this key document.

Without proper planning, simple daily decisions about children can turn into complex disputes. A well-structured parenting plan helps prevent conflicts and sets clear guidelines for both parents to follow.

This document goes beyond basic custody schedules – it shapes how parents will work together for their children’s benefit. The right parenting plan protects everyone’s interests and makes co-parenting smoother.

In this blog, you will learn some of the essential elements of every parenting plan, helping parents create a complete and practical agreement that works for the whole family.

How to Make a Parenting Plan

Making a parenting plan requires careful consideration of your children’s needs.

• Start by writing down your kids’ daily schedules, including school times, activities, and usual routines. This helps build a plan that works for everyone.
• Think about your work schedule, too. Look at when you’re free and when you need childcare help. Be honest about time limits – it helps avoid problems later.
• Talk about special days with your ex-partner. Work out who gets holidays, birthdays, and school events. Write down exact dates and times to prevent mix-ups.

Consider these key parts of your plan:

• Pick-up and drop-off details
• School and homework responsibilities
• Medical decisions and healthcare choices
• Contact rules when kids are with the other parent
• Plans for handling schedule changes

Keep notes about what works and what doesn’t. You might need to change the plan as your children grow older or situations change. Good plans grow with your family’s needs.

Remember to put your children first. Plans work best when both parents focus on what helps their kids feel safe and loved.

Listen to your children’s wishes when they’re old enough to share them. Write everything down clearly. Even small details matter when you’re sharing parenting time. Getting things in writing helps stop confusion later.

Things You Should Include in Your Parenting Plan

1. Physical Custody Schedule

The schedule needs exact details about when children stay with each parent throughout the week. Regular weekday and weekend times must be clearly stated in writing.

The plan should include specific pick-up and drop-off times that work with school and activity schedules. Parents should account for early dismissals and unexpected school closures.

A good schedule also builds in some flexibility for traffic or other delays that might affect exchange times.

2. Holiday and Special Occasions

A detailed holiday plan helps prevent disagreements during special times of the year. The agreement should cover all major holidays, school breaks, and summer vacation periods.

Both parents need to know well in advance how birthdays will be celebrated, including those of the children and parents. Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and family events need clear scheduling.

The plan should explain how to handle holidays that fall mid-week and set deadlines for confirming holiday arrangements.

3. Education Decisions

Educational guidelines ensure children have stable schooling through their academic years. The plan must state which schools children will attend and how parents will handle potential school changes.

Both parents should know who will attend school conferences and how they’ll share report cards and school updates.

The agreement should cover homework support and college planning. Rules about signing permission slips and accessing school records need to be clear.

The plan should also address how parents will respond to school emergencies.

4. Medical Care

Healthcare decisions require specific agreements between parents. The plan should name the primary care doctor and explain who schedules regular check-ups.

Parents need clear rules about keeping and sharing medical records, including vaccination information. The agreement must spell out insurance details and establish an order of contact for emergencies.

Both parents should understand the process for approving non-emergency procedures. The plan needs to explain how parents will split medical costs and make decisions about mental health care.

5. Transportation

The movement of children between homes requires careful planning. The agreement should state who handles regular transportation duties and what happens if the designated parent can’t drive.

Parents need to agree on meeting places for exchanges and who provides car seats. The plan should include backup options for getting children between homes and rules about who can drive them.

Clear guidelines about sharing transportation costs help prevent future disputes.

6. Communication Methods

The parenting plan must set rules for how parents share information about their children. Regular updates about health, school, and daily life need a consistent method.

Parents should agree on whether to use text messages, emails, or phone calls as their main way to talk. The plan must set clear times for responses, especially for urgent matters.

Both parents need a system to share important documents and photos. A clear process for handling schedule changes helps prevent miscommunication.

7. Extra Activities

The plan should explain how parents choose and manage children’s activities outside school. Both parents need to agree on how they’ll decide about sports, music lessons, or other programs.

The agreement must cover how parents split activity costs, including equipment and fees. Parents should know their roles in taking children to practices and events.

The plan needs to address what happens when activities conflict with the regular schedule. Both parents should understand their duties in keeping track of activity calendars.

8. Religion

Religious matters need careful attention in the parenting plan. Parents must agree on which religious services children will attend and who takes them.

The plan should address religious education choices and any special dietary needs. Both parents need to understand how religious events and celebrations will work.

The agreement should cover important religious milestones and how both parents can take part in these moments.

9. Travel Rules

The parenting plan must include clear guidelines about traveling with children. Parents need to know how much notice to give before planning trips.

The agreement should cover rules about sharing travel details, including places, dates, and contact information.

Both parents must understand the process for handling passports and permissions for out-of-state or international travel. The plan should state how parents will stay in touch with children during trips.

10. Child Care

Childcare arrangements need careful planning in the agreement. The plan should explain how parents choose caregivers when they can’t watch the children.

Both parents need to know if they get the first choice to watch the children before outside help is called. The agreement must cover how parents share information about babysitters and childcare centers.

Clear rules about emergency childcare situations help prevent problems.

11. Financial Responsibilities

Money matters need specific attention beyond basic child support. The plan should detail how parents split costs for school supplies, clothes, and activities.

Both parents must understand their duties for paying medical bills and insurance. The agreement should explain how parents handle unexpected expenses and share receipts.

However, some clear financial guidelines help prevent arguments about money.

12. Technology Use

The parenting plan must address children’s use of phones, computers, and social media. Parents need to agree on screen time limits and online safety rules.

The plan should cover when children get phones and who pays for them. Both parents must understand how to monitor online activities and keep children safe on the internet.

13. Grandparent Time

The agreement needs to address time with extended family members. Parents should plan how children maintain relationships with grandparents on both sides.

The plan must explain how family events and visits work with the regular schedule. Both parents need to understand how holidays with extended family fit into the yearly calendar.

Valid rules about planning family gatherings help avoid scheduling conflicts.

14. Future Changes

The parenting plan must include ways to update the agreement as children grow. Parents need to set times to review and adjust the plan for changing needs.

The agreement should explain how to handle disagreements about changes. Both parents must know how to suggest updates to the plan.

Regular reviews help keep the agreement working well for everyone.

15. Social Media and Online Privacy

The parenting plan must include clear rules about sharing children’s photos and information online. Parents need a detailed agreement about posting pictures and updates on social media platforms.

The plan should state what type of content parents can share and when they need to ask each other for permission. 

Both parents must agree on privacy settings for any online content about their children.

Age-Based Parenting Plan to Follow

Small changes in parenting plans make a big difference as children grow. Let’s look at what works for each age group.

Remember that each child handles changes differently. Watch how your kids respond to the schedule.

Good plans change when needed to keep your children comfortable and secure.

Conclusion

A well-planned parenting agreement improves the lives of both parents and children. The items covered today form the base of a strong parenting plan.

As you create your agreement, remember that the goal is to make daily decisions easier and reduce stress for everyone. Take time to think through each part carefully.

Consider talking with a family law expert to make sure your plan meets legal needs. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 7 7 7 Rule for Parenting?

The 7 7 7 rule splits custody where children spend seven days with one parent, then seven days with the other parent, repeated every seven days.

What is the Best Custody Arrangement for Kids?

The best arrangement depends on each family’s needs. Most experts suggest keeping both parents involved while maintaining steady routines and limiting disruption to children’s daily lives.

What is the 80/20 Rule in Parenting?

The 80/20 rule means one parent has the children 80% of the time while the other parent has them for 20%. This often works when parents live far apart.