Making a Parenting Plan – Points to Consider

Making a Parenting Plan will take time, because there is a lot to think about. However, it will save you time and reduce stress later. Most importantly, it will help you meet the needs of your children. Click on a heading to read more.

+ Major Decisions

• How will you and your partner make major decisions for your children, including, education, healthcare, religion, extracurricular activities, changes in circumstances, parental communication changes, etc.
• How will moving by one partner be dealt with? Notice?

+ Parenting Schedule

• Where will the children spend summer, winter, and other school breaks?
• Where will the children spend major civic and faith-based holidays?
• What regular living schedule will your children spend with each partner?

+ Healthcare

• How will their healthcare needs be met? Dental, allergies, eye glasses, therapy, naturopathy, orthodontal, other
• If you have a healthcare plan, will you keep it for as long as the children need it?
• Will you agree to share information on their health with the other partner?

+ Transportation

• How will they get to and from their school and extracurricular activities?
• How will they get to and from other activities, such as birthday parties and other visits?

+ Shopping

• Who will do the shopping for items needed for the children, such as clothing, special equipment, recreational, etc?

+ Travel

• How will you arrange for and coordinate out of community, province or country travel?
• Who will keep documents such as passports?

+ Communication

• How will you and your partner communicate with each other?

+ New Partners

• How and when will new Partners be introduced to the children?
• What interaction can/should they have?