In the event of a divorce or separation, it is not just enough to pay child maintenance but to also co-parent effectively. It may come easily for some ex-partners who have mutually separated and can maintain a healthy relationship. However, most exes require help in the form of an effective parenting plan for the well-being of the children involved. Blake Attorneys, experts in family law in South Africa, explain further.
The realities of co-parenting
One thing is for sure: parents, divorced or separated, should have their children’s interests in mind. While exes may remain friends or try to remain cordial and positive with each other, it is normal to have conflicts when you have to negotiate which holidays happen when, or when one parent constantly tries to change contact times. Often, when the parent enters into a new relationship, it becomes really difficult to co-parent. It is MUCH EASIER to draw up a parenting plan while the parents are on good terms so that these issues don’t cloud the parenting of the children.
What is the point of a parenting plan ? Will it help or hinder me?
A parenting plan is a document which sets out who spends time with the children when. It also sets out other agreements between the parents such as the faith in which the children will be raised, what schools they will attend and even details like who may collect the children from school and who the emergency contacts for school are. Even though a parenting plan does not need to have legal jargon, it must be clear on the most important aspects of the children’s lives.
The most important benefit of a parenting plan is that it avoids conflicts between exes as most guidelines have already been laid out in writing. According to research, children deal better with their parent’s divorce or separation if there is mutual cooperation and less conflict. The following must be included in your parenting plan for it to truly work:
- Living arrangements: This includes residential arrangements, geographical considerations, movement and transport between homes, childcare, parents’ schedules and the like.
- Vacation and holidays: School breaks, holiday seasons, religious holidays and special days for the family.
- Healthcare: This includes medical care, emergency treatments, access to medical records and more.
- Education: Choice or changes in schools, attendance and school trips.
- Religion and culture: Religious upbringing and cultural education.
For more information on child maintenance and parenting plans in South Africa, contact Blake Attorneys today!