Parenting plan cuts stress when a relationship breaks down

A parenting plan is a written plan by parents following divorce or separation, covering practical issues of co-parenting and providing a blueprint for ongoing discussion and the room for detailed arrangements.

It makes sense, parents are mutually connected through their children’s lives right from school through further education, marriage, and even grandchildren.

However amicable a split, when it comes to co-parenting, the nature of the change of dynamics will bring challenges, so it’s important both parents focus on positive co-parenting.

After all, it reduces stress between parents and also protects the children who invariably suffer emotional damage that a family breakdown often brings.

It’s worth adding, no two marriage break-ups are the same and some ex-spouses have a relationship that has broken down completely, making any form of decision, even on the smallest matters, virtually impossible.

However, the beauty of a parenting plan is the ability to nip issues in the bud.

Before taking one on, it is vital to ask searching questions, such as if you can listen to each other, whether you are in unity on what the children need, and can you negotiate in a balanced way?

We advise sitting down in a neutral place and then plan a range of questions on the key sections to mull over before moving onto the big decisions.

If there are real hurdles with your communication, perhaps mediation is a sensible step to consider so you can get to the point of creating a plan.

Early discussions with searching questions often prevents minor small issues developing into toxic conflict between parents.

A great deal of co-parenting without major conflict relies on communication and parenting plans help parents stay on the same page with matters concerning their children’s upbringing.

Mature approaches, such as parenting plans show that, despite the problems of the past, people with a mutual love for their children can have hope for the future.