When children are newborns or still very young, creating a parenting plan can be particularly difficult. While older children are often better prepared to handle the numerous changes accompanying divorce, younger children often have a much more difficult time understanding what is happening between their parents.
As a result, it is often much more challenging for parents to create a parenting plan for younger children. Fortunately, there are some tips that you can follow to make sure that your parenting plan is as successful as possible. Perhaps the most important piece of advice to follow is to obtain the assistance of an experienced family law attorney who can help you navigate this process. The other tips are as follows:
Follow Frequent and Short Visits
While older children often have an easier time switching between time with either parent, younger children experience much more difficulty transitioning between parents. Young children often benefit greatly from seeing each of their parents at least once every couple of days. As a result, many parents benefit by dividing parenting into two- or three-day segments rather than longer periods of time.
Make Sure to Follow the Same Schedule
It is important for parents to keep young children on a consistent schedule. This ensures that younger children who are not able to speak for themselves receive consistent care. Switching between homes can also be difficult for younger children, but following the same schedule in both homes maintains a sense of consistency in the child’s life. To make sure that schedules remain consistent between homes, it is a wise idea for parents to create a parenting plan that they can both agree to follow.
Share Details about Key Milestones
Children reach significant milestones during their first few years of life. Unfortunately, when parents are separated, it is likely that one of the parents will not be present for many of those achievements. Share details about the child’s milestones with the other parent. Parents who are able to stay friendly after a divorce or separation discover that it is possible to share photographs or videos of a child achieving these accomplishments through cell phones or the internet. This type of communication can help each parent foster close bonds with young children, and that is to everyone’s benefit.
Speak with a Knowledgeable Family Law Attorney Today
Creating a parenting plan is a difficult process, but with the assistance of an experienced lawyer, it is often possible to do so. If you and your spouse need assistance in handling custody or visitation issues, as well, speak with an experienced lawyer. Contact Vayman & Teitelbaum P.C. today to schedule an initial case evaluation.
