When parents get divorced or unmarried parents separate, many find that the most difficult part coming to terms with the fact that your child will have to split their time between homes. Usually, both parents want to spend as much time as possible with their child, making it easier for conflicts to arise. The solution? A visitation schedule. In today’s blog, we’re taking a look at the four biggest things you need to think about when creating yours.
1. Facilitate strong relationships between the child and each parent.
Remember that the primary purpose of a visitation schedule is to ensure that your child gets time to bond and connect with both parents as much as possible. Children should see both parents on a regular basis, preferably at least every week. This might not be practical if parents live far apart, but it’s something to aim for.
2. Making a plan for holidays and other special occasions.
Your visitation schedule should have an entire section dedicated to special days that take precedence over the normal/routine schedule. We recommend splitting up the holidays of the year between parents and then switching every year. Then, adjustments can be made to personal preferences like if one parent has a particular attachment to one holiday and the other doesn’t, then it may be wise for that parent to have the child for that holiday every year.
3. Arranging transportation.
Transportation can be a big source of conflict, even when both parents live near one another. Think about who will be responsible for what portion of the transportation, not just between households but also to school and other events.
4. Growing up.
A visitation plan that works for a two-year-old might not be what works when the child is fifteen. We recommend adding specific dates or ages when you will review and revise the visitation agreement. Also review and revise at key milestones like starting school, getting a driver’s license, or even the birth of a new sibling.
Who can help me create a visitation schedule?
If you need help creating a visitation schedule that satisfies both you and your ex, an experienced family law attorney can help. At The Grey Legal Group, we are passionate about helping families navigate their child custody and visitation challenges. If you have questions or if you’re interested in partnering with us, we encourage you to contact us today. We can’t wait to hear from you!
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