Splitting up with your spouse is never easy, but it’s much more difficult when a kid is involved. It is stressful for a child, especially when the separation is nasty. This usually has an emotional, social, and intellectual impact on the kid. As a result, once the divorce is finalized, it is ideal for a kid to spend time evenly with both parents. If the parents are granted shared custody, the child is lucky. This allows them to spend meaningful time and bonding with both their mother and father.
If shared custody is cooperative and respectful, the child will have a better connection and not experience severe repercussions. Only then will one be able to adjust to such dramatic family shifts. Don’t be concerned if you are a parent trying to figure out how to make shared custody work. Sure, there will be some problems, but it will be worthwhile if you consider your child’s welfare. Here’s how to plan and carry out a successful joint custody arrangement.
1. Prioritize your children
Visitation is not about you or your ex, but about your children, so always prioritize their needs. Joint custody is designed to allow a child to maintain contact with both parents. When children’s relationship is nurtured, they do not feel abandoned or rejected by either parent. Hence, address their emotional needs to promote their overall growth.
2. Make a plan
Scheduling visits might be the trickiest thing, but trust me, you’ll figure it out eventually. However, once again, you must prioritize children and bring some consistency into their life. You may choose between a 2-2-3 plan and a 2-2-5 schedule, depending on what works best for you and your ex. You may even pick alternating weeks; this is the most straightforward approach to assure some stability in your child’s life.
3. Discuss finances
Whether there is joint custody or not, both parents are responsible for the child’s financial requirements. However, if you feel that your partner will not provide the right care to your child, you can seek help from a child support attorney.
The attorney can give the best help while considering the child’s future and preferences. It is critical to ensure that your child’s expenses are covered, including food, clothes, education, healthcare, supplies, entertainment, and so on. When there is no inequality when it comes to money, consider your half of the battle conquered.
4. Keep issues aside
As an adult, you must also behave like one by putting your disagreement with your ex aside. It is preferable to maintain good relations when transitioning to a shared-custody agreement. And if you can’t be on good terms, make sure your child isn’t exposed to your tussles. After all, you don’t want to hurt your child’s happiness.
5. Schedule family time
Planning family time is the most successful approach to effectively strengthening your shared custody arrangement. So, you’re separated, but you both have a child. Make plans for a play-date, a family meal, a picnic, and so on. This will reassure your child that even if you are separated, they can still bond with both of you and are not pushed to choose sides.
6. Communicate
It is critical for you and your ex to achieve a level where you can both be decent and bearable to one other. As a parent, you must both communicate essential things concerning your child. The subject matter might range from education to behavioral changes and all in between.
7. Respect others
You and your ex must focus on mutual respect. Smooth out the shared custody arrangement and ensure that none of the parties’ interests are jeopardized. For instance, if your spouse is instilling a healthy habit, such as making a child do yoga every day, be sure to stick to the same practice while the child is with you.
8. Compromise
You don’t want your child to be badly impacted in any manner, do you? Then it’s wiser to give in and let your children have their way. Be willing to make a few compromises while maintaining visitation rights. Only then will it work, and your kid will adjust to the shift in family structure more easily.
9. Be open to rescheduling
It is advisable to be flexible and not rigid about the planned timetable. A situation may occur that requires you or your ex to make any changes. Don’t fight your ex’s request to reschedule. This way, if you need to reschedule in the future, you won’t have any issues.
Divorce might separate you from your partner. But when a child is involved, you will remain tied to your ex for the rest of your life. Therefore, both of you should set aside your egos and differences to be on the same page for the sake of your child’s overall development.
