Parenting Plans for School-Age Children
School-age children are coming into their own and need parenting plans to reflect that. Learn how to craft a parenting plan for a child in this age group.
Is a parenting plan for school-age children really necessary?
Parenting plans for school-age children are legally required in many states, but it's wise to create one even if it is not mandatory. A good parenting plan specifies how you and the other parent will raise your children.
A cohesive set of guidelines that outline everything from your child's schedules to their schooling makes conflict with the other parent less likely. Your parenting plan covers the most important topics so you, your child and the other parent all know what to expect.
There is no one-size-fits-all parenting plan because every child has different needs at different stages of life. You and the other parent should plan on revisiting your parenting plan agreement to update the language and conditions to reflect everyone's circumstances.
Custody X Change software offers a parenting plan template that helps you and the other parent draft your first parenting plan and make revisions as needed.
What's the best approach to a parenting plan for school-age children?
The best approach to creating a parenting plan for a school-age child blends structure and flexibility. School-age children have busy lives with many relationships outside of their parents. Encourage healthy development by balancing their time with family and friends with their hobbies and extracurriculars.
School-age children can make many decisions for themselves, such as what to wear, who their friends are and what after-school activities they want to try. Your parenting plan should recognize their growing independence, allowing more flexibility than a plan designed for younger children.
School-age children are usually able to manage their emotions better than younger children. They adapt to change more readily and don't resist transitions quite as much. They understand that they have two parents in separate residences, and can adjust fairly easily.
Which circumstances impact my parenting plan for school-age children?
Your child's current circumstances should be the center of your efforts to create a workable parenting plan. While many things in your school-age child's life will be changing, try to keep as many things the same as you can. For example, if your child took gymnastics lessons before your divorce, make arrangements for the child to continue, and build that into your parenting plan.
Some of the existing circumstances to examine when creating a parenting plan for school-age children include:
- Each parent's responsibilities prior to separation
- Distance between residences
- Each parent's work schedule
- Any existing after-school care
- Current school schedule
- Your child's extracurriculars
- Individual temperament and personality
- Current medical or special needs
- Child's relationship with both parents
- Previous and current conflict level between parents
Custody X Change software helps separated parents customize a parenting plan that encompasses even the most unique situations to create an effective agreement that puts your child's needs first.
What should I include in a parenting plan for school-age children?
Include as much information on the many aspects of parenting as you can. Regardless of how you create your parenting plan, it should be clear, easy to understand and predictable.
Here are ten things your parenting plan for school-age children should cover.
- Day-to-day parenting time schedules
- How and where exchanges will take place
- Schedules for vacations and holidays, including exchange times
- Schedules for special events like birthdays or family reunions
- Guidelines for child care, like the right of first refusal
- Basic parenting ground rules, such as discipline and chores
- Medical care issues, such as choosing doctors and insurance
- Out of pocket expenses beyond child support, such as school fees
- Co-parenting with new partners
- How to resolve future disagreements
These critical topics are a good place to start when negotiating a parenting plan with the other parent. The Custody X Change parenting plan template makes it easy to incorporate the above topics and others that suit your personal situation.
What schedules work best in a parenting plan for school-age children?
The best visitation schedules in a parenting plan for school-age children are predictable, clear and conflict-free. Evaluate your child's age, maturity and unique needs when creating the visitation portion of your parenting plan.
There are several advantages to making schedules for school-age children versus younger children:
They can comprehend time. School-age children can understand concepts about time, including days of the week. This helps during exchanges because children can better comprehend what it means to spend time with both parents.
They can stand longer visits. School-age children can stay at each place a little longer than when they were younger. In your parenting plan, try to limit the transitions between households as much as possible so children can settle into each location without too much upheaval at each visit. Children may do better with a few days at a time at each parent's home, rather than every other day or two.
They can give input. School-age children can express personal opinions and provide some input when it comes to visitation. To get an idea of what is best for your child, ask for their input when working out a visitation schedule.
They understand visuals. Using a calendar that clearly shows when your child will be with each parent helps your child anticipate exchanges, minimizing stress. Custody X Change offers a printable, color-coded visual calendar to outline time with each parent.
Can a detailed parenting plan for school-age children reduce legal costs?
You and the other parent can reduce your legal costs by negotiating your parenting plan together without a lawyer or court intervention.
When you agree, you'll only need a court to approve your plan as the custody order. By contrast, cases that must go to trial often require a lawyer and multiple court appearances, racking up thousands in costs.
You could agree on some terms and let a lawyer help you negotiate the rest, which still costs less than hiring them on a full-time basis. It's recommended that each parent gets their own lawyer to review the terms of the negotiated plan to ensure it is fair.
The easiest way to make a parenting plan
Creating a parenting plan on your own can feel overwhelming. You have to be sure to use airtight legal language and can't omit any required information.
Use technology to take the guesswork out of the equation. The Custody X Change app walks you through each step of creating a comprehensive parenting plan.
You can customize this with Custody X Change.
The result is a professional document that demonstrates your competence as a parent and secures your child's future.
The easiest and most reliable way to make a parenting plan is with Custody X Change.
Try this with Custody X Change.