Stages of Parenting Time Schedules Require Attention to Detail

When parents divorce they have many issues that must be resolved. Many of these matters involve their children. Parents are generally expected to share time with their children. This is done with help from a parenting time schedule. The schedule provides details regarding how parents spend time with their children. There are various types of parenting time schedules that can be utilized for divorcing parents in Arizona.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Plan

When choosing a parenting plan it is essential to take some important factors into consideration. Some of the most important issues include the age of the child, the child’s temperament, the relationship between siblings, the location of each parent, the parent’s ability to provide proper care and supervision, the attachment of the child to each parent, and others. Remember that the plan should be based on what is best for the child.

From Birth through the Toddler Years

Babies and toddlers have special needs. Care must be taken to ensure that a young child’s daily schedule is kept as stable as possible. It is important to consider the specific needs of a young child and how a parenting time plan can best accommodate those needs..

School Age Children

Depending on the ability of each parent to care for the children, it is becoming increasingly common for parents to share equal parenting time of their school age children, even possibly beginning such a schedule even earlier.  The parents should consider a child’s activities and scholastic needs when developing a parenting time plan.

The Teenage Years

Teenagers are often very independent. They have friends, jobs, activities, and schoolwork to handle. It is essential that parents continue to spend time with their child but should also try to accommodate their needs when possible. Sometimes parents will opt for a flexible parenting plan as kids enter their mid to late teens.  In any event, it is essential that everyone be on the same page as to what each parent expects in terms of how rigid or flexible a plan will be.

Parenting time schedules should be tailored to the child’s needs. Not every plan works for every child. There are many variations to the schedules, and parents should make decisions that are in the best interests of the child. Call the legal team at Udall Shumway PLC to learn more about establishing parenting time schedules.

This blog should be used for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader and should not be construed as legal advice. If you need legal advice regarding Stages of Parenting Time Schedules, or any other family law issue, please feel free to contact Steven H. Everts at 480.461.5300, log on to udallshumway.com, or contact an attorney in your area. Udall Shumway PLC is located in Mesa, Arizona and is a full service law firm. We assist Individuals, families, businesses, schools and municipalities in Mesa and the Phoenix/East Valley.