How to Create a Shared Parenting Plan?
If you and your spouse find that you are unable to communicate effectively to create a shared parenting plan during the divorce process, it may be time to bring in a divorce coach.
Using a divorce coach during the collaborative divorce process can be helpful in opening or starting a line of communication that is conducive to long-term co-parenting.
Often during the collaborative divorce process, a child specialist, who is a mental health expert and a divorce coach, is brought into the process to help develop a shared parenting plan.
A successful co-parenting plan will often address:
- How custody will be shared
- Who will do what when an emergency occurs or a medical visit is needed
- How holidays, vacations, extracurricular events and school will be handled
- Discipline methods
- How you will communicate with each other about the children, and more
For a shared parenting plan to be successful long term, there are a few things both of you should keep in mind along the divorce journey:
- Learn to communicate with your co-parent
- Don’t use your children as pawns or messengers
- Refrain from talking poorly about your spouse in your children’s presence
- Don’t withhold love to your child to hurt your co-parent at any time
Working out how certain situations will be handled now, instead of in the moment of need, can go a long way to achieving a successful co-parenting plan and will benefit your child.
Remember things will come up during your co-parenting that were not discussed during the divorce process, and it is important to have tools in place to handle the unexpected. Your collaborative team can continue to support and help you and your co-parent into the future if you so choose.
The Collaborative Practice of San Diego is a nonprofit, multi-disciplinary referral network of independent professionals of attorneys, mental health professionals and financial advisors working together to learn, practice, and promote Collaborative processes for problem-solving and the peaceful resolution of family law issues regarding co-parenting, with an eye toward preserving the emotional, as well as the financial assets of the family.
Contact us today to learn how to create a successful co-parenting plan during a collaborative divorce that can help your family move forward when your divorce becomes finalized.
Note: This information is general in nature and should not be construed as legal, financial, or mental health advice. You should work with your attorney, financial, or mental health professional to determine what will work best for your situation.
