Creating a Parenting Plan
A parenting plan outlines more information and flexibility than traditional custody agreements because they are negotiated and discussed between the parents and address all aspects of child custody. Parents can incorporate as much or as little information as needed and agree to change the plan as your situation requires. A parenting plan outlines the parenting arrangements for a child including a schedule of the times each parent will spend with the child and information about who will make major decisions about education, medical care and more.
The parenting plan needs to be practical, according to each parent’s situation and in your child’s best interests. It’s important to set out ground rules about what information you will share with each other about the children and to decide how you will discuss parenting issues that come up from time to time. This includes information about education and school work, health and dental care, counselling, and who can attend school events, parent-teacher meetings and extra-curricular activities.
What to Consider When Making a Parenting Plan
- Living arrangements and parenting schedules
- Vacation, holidays and special days
- Health care
- Education
- Extra-curricular activities
- Religion
- Culture
- Grandparents and extended family
- Travel
- Communication between parents
- Making changes to parenting plan
- Solving Problems
- Child support
Source for detailed discussion points on each topic: Department of Justice
Resources
- Making Plans – A guide to parenting arrangements after separation or divorce
- Parenting Plan Checklist: Issues to consider when making a parenting plan
- Parenting Plan Tool
- The Office of the Children’s Lawyer Ontario
- Family Responsibility Office – (Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services)
- Collaborative Practice Durham Region
- Durham Family Court Clinic
- Durham Region Community Supports and Services
- Department of Justice Child Support Guidelines
- Federal Child Support Guidelines: Step–by–Step
Legislation
