As many Florida parents have discovered, making shared parenting work can be a delicate endeavor. There are many things to consider, and for it to be successful, parents need to keep the focus on the children and what is most beneficial to them.
When it comes to child custody in a shared parenting situation, parents should find a way to communicate that prevents conflicts and allows easy communication between them. There are many options for this, including online calendars, cellphones, texts and even apps that provide families with tools to make shared parenting a success. Both parents need to be flexible as situations change and emergencies come up that might result in having to change arrangements last minute. Another thing that adds to the success of shared parenting is to keep good will toward their ex-spouse, speaking positively about them to their children. It is helpful to remember that even someone who was a bad spouse can be a good parent to the children.
Children should also be involved when planning schedules and making decisions in shared parenting. This involves different things at different ages, from what toys to take to their other parent’s house to the actual schedule of where and when children stay as they get older. During the planning of the schedule, parents must take into account not only their own needs and schedules but their children’s extra-curricular and after-school activities, social life and preferences.
The more conscious parents are about creating a shared parenting plan that focuses on the children from the beginning, the bigger the chance for success. A parent who is involved in creating a parenting plan may consult with a family law lawyer to seek guidance about making a fair, balanced plan that works for the family. A lawyer might suggest ideas for different joint custody setups and other custody decisions.