Finding a fair parenting time schedule can be an extraordinary challenge for two parents. After all, many parents don’t want to give up time with their kids in the first place, and having to schedule out holidays, summer vacations, weekends and weekdays for the foreseeable future can be overwhelming.
Thankfully, there are numerous types of schedules that can accommodate different families. The variety makes it easier to find a plan that works best for you. Below, we examine a few of the options you might consider if you are creating a parenting plan.
Weekly schedules
Having your kids for a full week and weekend followed by a week and weekend without them can be a good balance for many parents and kids. It gives parents the opportunity to spend long stretches with kids that includes both the scheduled time of weekdays and the more relaxed time of weekends.
2-2-3 or 2-2-5 plans
If a week sounds like a long time to be with and then without your kids, then shorter alternating schedules might work better. Under 2-2-3 or 2-2-5 plans, kids spend two days with you, two days with the other parent and then either three or five days with you. The other parent will have the kids during the longer stretch of time the following week.
Most of the time with one parent
There are circumstances under which it is in a child’s best interests to spend most of their time with one parent. Infants, for example, will often need to be with the mother most of the time. Or, if the other parent lives in another state or country, it may be best for children to spend the school year with you and the summers and vacations with the other parent, or vice versa.
Every plan should be tailored to the child’s needs
There is no such thing as one-size-fits-all when it comes to parenting plans. Your plan is unique to your family and it should reflect your specific situation and your child’s age, needs, school attendance and extracurricular activities.
Finding the right plan for you can be challenging, but it is certainly possible. With the help of your attorney, you can work to ensure this happens.
