The essentials of a successful parenting plan in Texas

On Behalf of | May 17, 2022 | Child Custody |

When you become a parent, your life changes in ways you never imagined. Suddenly, you have someone who depends on you for everything, which can be effortlessly overwhelming. Add divorce or separation into the mix, and now you have a mind-boggling situation. However, you can manage this by creating an efficient parenting plan with your ex in Texas. Here are some of the essential tips you should consider.

Understand your child’s best interests

Every family is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution for custody arrangements. You will need to consider the unique needs of your kid, as well as the logistics of your situation. For example, if you and your ex-spouse live in different cities, you must figure out how visitation will work without affecting your jobs and time spent with your child.

Choose a parenting schedule that works for you

This schedule will depend on the type of child custody arrangement the court awarded you. If you got joint physical custody, you could organize your schedule as a biweekly rotation, 2-2-3 (days) or 2-2-5-5 (days). For visitation, create a plan for days that work for the non-custodial parent.

Have parenting guidelines in place

These rules that you and your ex agree on to help you parent your children in almost the same manner. Parenting guidelines can cover topics such as bedtime routines, curfews, homework, and much more. It’s essential because it gives your children a sense of stability regardless of where they are.

Have a communication plan

It is important that you both are on the same page about your parenting plan. If it helps, come up with a communication plan that includes the specifics dates of reaching out to each other, mediums to use, and off-limit topics. You can allow calls for times when you have an emergency.

After coming up with a plan you’re both satisfied with, have it in writing and sign it for it to be legally binding. If anything changes in your arrangement, you can always modify your plan to fit your current circumstances.