Create a parenting plan specifically for your older child so he or she doesn't fall through cracks during divorce or separation.
Figuring out how to share parental
responsibilities is difficult. An effective parenting plan can help
parents detail their respective responsibilities and care for their
child. For any age of child, parenting is difficult, but it is
especially difficult for older children. Pre-teen and teenage years
are some of the most impressionable and some of the hardest. It is
quite possible that a divorce or separation situation could lead to
an adolescent-aged child to feel that the situation is their fault.
Making a parenting plan that fits the
needs and interests of your older child is very important. Your
child needs to know that the divorce or separation was not his or her
fault and that he or she should not blame him or herself. As you
develop a parenting plan for your older child, think about the
following:
Your child's personality and
temperament. How sensitive is your child? Is your child showing
signs of depression? Is your child distancing him or herself?
The activities in which your child
participates. In which sorts of extracurricular activities does your
child participate? Will the new situation make it impossible for
your child to participate in some of those activities?
Any medical conditions or learning
disabilities your child may have. Does your child have a medical
condition that needs attention? Does your child have a learning
disability or mental disorder that requires special care?
Primary residence and care of your
child. Are parental responsibilities shared equally? Does one parent
have sole legal and physical custody?
Your child's relationships with
family members. Does your child have regular visits with
grandparents, aunts and uncles or cousins? Does your child have
siblings? If so, how are those relationships going to affected?
It is important to prepare a parenting
plan that has your adolescent child's interests in mind. It may be a
good idea to create a parenting plan specifically for your older
child and may be wise to create a separate parenting plan for each of
your children if you have several. Your responsibility, as a parent,
to your child is to care for and love him or her and do the best you
can on his or her behalf. Keep a positive attitude as you make a
parenting plan. The primary reason you are creating a parenting plan
is your child and it is imperative to remember that at all times. You
can make things work as you utilize a parenting plan. Your child
could slip away from you if you do not have a good parenting plan in
place.
Tracy Bensun is interested in the law and especially family law. Her main interest lies in how children are affected by divorce and child custody. She has done extensive research on her own and loves to share her knowledge. She is affiliated with Custody X Change, which is a software program designed to assist in child custody visitation schedules, agreements and parenting plans.
