What Should a Parenting Plan Include?

A Parenting Plan can provide a clear record of the arrangements parents have agreed for their children following separation.

There is no single format that will suit every family. The terms should reflect the child’s age, routine, education, health, relationships and changing needs.

Living and spending time arrangements

The plan may set out:

• Where the child will ordinarily live

• When they will spend time with each parent

• Overnight arrangements

• Weekend and weekday routines

• School holiday arrangements

• Birthdays, religious occasions and family celebrations

The wording should be sufficiently clear to avoid unnecessary uncertainty, while allowing reasonable flexibility where appropriate.

Education, health and activities

Parents may also wish to address:

• School choices

• Drop-offs and collections

• Parents’ evenings and school events

• Medical and dental appointments

• Extracurricular activities

• Travel arrangements

• Emergency decisions

Communication and decision-making

A Parenting Plan can explain how parents will exchange information and make important decisions.

This may include:

• How and when parents will communicate

• How changes to arrangements will be discussed

• How the child will remain in contact with each parent

• How disagreements will be managed

• When the plan will be reviewed

The purpose is not to anticipate every possible situation. It is to create a workable structure that reduces uncertainty and supports consistent decision-making.

The next part of this series considers the options available when parents are unable to agree arrangements between themselves.

Elizabeth Stocker can help parents consider appropriate arrangements, negotiate constructively and prepare a Parenting Plan that reflects their child’s needs. Get in touch for clear, practical advice.