A parenting plan in Indiana is a binding legal agreement that outlines how parents will raise their children after a divorce or breakup. There are many types you can create depending on your lifestyle; however, one thing always remains the same: the best interests of your child.
Create proper communication channels
A great percentage of disputes between parents stem from poor or no communication. Regardless of what you feel about each other, you need to be able to communicate effectively for the sake of your children. This includes being respectful and using proper channels such as text, email, or even a parenting app.
Consider using a parenting schedule
A parenting schedule is a tool that can help parents stay organized and on track with their child custody arrangement. It outlines when the child will be with each parent and can include information such as school days, holidays, and extracurricular activities. Having a set schedule can help provide consistency for children and make things run smoothly for everyone involved.
Set realistic goals
It’s important to have realistic expectations when creating a parenting plan. For instance, if you live in different cities, it may not be possible to have a 50/50 custody arrangement. A flexible plan may be helpful in such a situation.
Be willing to compromise
In any relationship, there must be some give and take and raising children together post-divorce is no different. If you’re having trouble coming to an agreement, try to be open-minded and willing to see the matter from the other parent’s perspective. This may mean giving up some of your parenting time or making some adjustments to your schedule.
The integral part of creating a parenting plan is to reduce or even prevent conflict between parents. However, sometimes disagreements happen even when you have the best intentions. If this occurs, try to see if there’s a way to work together to resolve the issue. If not, you may need to see a mediator or, if serious enough, go to court to find a solution that works for everyone involved.