Do we need a Parenting Plan/Agreement?

Our Francine Bristo deals with this very pertinent question.

Parenting plans are really helpful unless there has been domestic abuse or concerns about your child’s safety.  A regular pattern of contact and a united front on arrangements makes children and you feel more secure.  You may have different ideas about what’s best for your children and this can make agreeing a parenting plan daunting, we at New Leaf are here to help support you through this.

A parenting agreement is a plan detailing how the day to day parenting of the children will be handled by the parties.  The plan involves both parents and in some cases, includes grandparents or a guardian.  Where children are old enough and it is appropriate, they too can be involved in the process enabling them to also have their voice heard.  The plan should reflect what is in the best interest

These are unprecedented times!  This phrase is used a lot but it certainly applies when it comes to contact arrangements. This pandemic would never have been in the minds of parents when reaching an agreement on contact with the children, nor would it have covered what would happen in the event of a pandemic. However, this is where we are and so it’s a learning curve for all of us.

If you have an amicable relationship with your co-parent then hopefully you can discuss and agree the new arrangements for your children if the usual arrangement isn’t working, particularly now that the children are now off school and one parent may be a key worker and working longer hours or one may be self isolating.

During this lockdown try to utilise the technology that is available, Zoom or Skype or video chats on social media to speak to the other parent and

The summer holidays are nearly upon us, and that can mean challenges for separated and divorced parents.  Unlike Christmas, or half term, the holidays are long, and tension can pop up in all sorts of places.  As well as actually holidays, there are also childcare, back to school and financial issues to take into account.

However forewarned is forearmed, and some thought and planning will allow you to manage six weeks relatively unscathed.

First the good news.  Separated parents can divide time between them.  Whereas before, a summer holiday would be taken together, now you will be taking separate holidays and spending time with your children alone.  This can often take up 4 of the 6 weeks, which can be a distinct advantage.

It’s not all plain sailing though, and issues can arise. Here are some tips on how you can avoid them.

Advanced planning

You should have already decided when your children will be