Creating a Joint Custody Agreement and Schedule for Babies

A friend of mine recently divorced from her husband. She and her husband have an eight month old baby that they needed to make a custody agreement and schedule for. Both my friend and the husband wanted to be very involved in the baby's life, and they decided to have a joint custody arrangement. As they were making their agreement, they discovered that they had to think about a lot of issues because of the baby's age. In order to make a really good joint custody schedule and agreement, they needed to factor in that the child was so young.

When making any type of joint custody schedule, the parents must think about the child's age. This factor determines a lot of what goes into the agreement, and it can provide ideas for the schedule. The mother and father must be very considerate of the child's age when the child is a baby.

To make a good joint schedule for a baby, the parents must first consider who the current primary caregiver is. It is important for this parent to still be heavily involved in the baby's life, and the baby should probably live with this parent. If both parents are equally involved in caring for the baby, the baby could spend time living at both parents' homes, or the mother and father can choose to have the baby live at the best home in the situation.

Babies have a lot of equipment, and both parents need to be prepared to have the necessary items when watching the baby. This is an important thing to consider when making the custody and visitation schedule. A baby needs a crib, changing table, swing, bouncer, etc. if that is what the baby uses. Of course, each child is unique, and the parents should know what accessories the baby needs. Because it can be expensive to have double of everything, some parents set it up so that visitation occurs in one home, and the parents take turns being in the home.

For joint custody agreements, the mother and father must work out the division of responsibilities for the baby. This includes deciding who will provide the baby with medical insurance, who will make decisions for the baby, what supplies the baby needs, etc. Because both parents commit to fully raising the child in a joint agreement, both parents should have responsibility.

The best way to set up a schedule for babies is to give both parents frequent time with the child. The baby shouldn't go more than one or two days without seeing the other parent, so they don't forget the parent. Because babies bond with the parents as the parents provide care, each parent should have enough time with the baby to give care. This care includes feeding, bathing, and playing with the baby. It also includes putting the baby to sleep. Joint custody schedules for babies need to incorporate all of this.

If a mother and father think about all of these things, they will be able to make a great custody schedule and agreement for the baby. They will also be better prepared to make changes and adjustment to the schedule and agreement as the child grows older. This will help make the custody situation run more smoothly.