When parents divorce in Wisconsin, one of the issues they must face is how to divide parenting time. Many couples decide a co-parenting plan will be best for them and their children, but what is the best schedule for divorcing parents to follow?
Developing your parenting plan
Most people want to preserve their rights to raise their children after a divorce. Determining child custody and parenting time is a significant portion of a divorce agreement. Traditional co-parenting agreements often call for children to spend alternating weeks with each parent. However, there may be better options for your children. Alternating-week plans force your kids to spend an entire week without the other parent, which can cause them to feel detached or even develop an anxiety disorder.
An alternating-week schedule can cause problems, especially if you and your ex are not on good terms. Work schedules can also get in the way when one parent must pick up children from school or is scheduled to go out of town for their job. Although an alternating schedule can work for children older than 12, consider alternatives like a 2-2-3 or a 3-4-4-3 schedule, with each number specifying the days children spend with each parent during the week.
Developing your parenting plan
Developing a preliminary parenting plan is one of the first things divorcing couples should do. In addition to sitting down with your ex to determine what may work, bring your kids into the conversation to determine their wishes. Developing a parenting plan should take your children’s best interests into account.
Demonstrating that you can develop a workable parenting plan makes it more likely the court will approve it. Being flexible is a critical parenting skill, especially for divorced parents.