Being a single parent and juggling work can be very difficult. This is why it is so important for co-parents to be able to have a strong and mature relationship with each other. The more that they can communicate well and get on the same page in terms of schedules and parental goals, the happier the children are likely to be.
If you are having difficulty making sure that your schedule can handle quality time with the children, it is a good idea to start planning more and penciling in time for quality time rather than errand-running. This kind of planning can be done individually, but it is always a good idea to talk the plan through with the other co-parent afterward so that your schedules can be aligned.
What types of co-parenting plans are there?
The schedules that people use to co-parent can depend on their work schedule, the age of the children in question, the personal preferences of the parents and the beliefs of what is best for them.
Many parents opt for alternating week schedules. This means that each parent has 50 percent custody and simply sees them for one week at a time. This can be beneficial for children because they are able to bond equally with each parent, but it can be impractical if each parent lives far apart.
Other plans can include a primary custodian and a parent who has visitation at weekends or overnight stays midweek. Choosing what is best for your family can include lengthy discussions. Thorough research should be done when establishing a strong parenting plan.