Being parents to a child and living in separate households has certain challenges that parents who live together do not experience. Generally, these parents are not in a romantic relationship with each other, although they can still co-parent. This type of arrangement is usually in the best interests of the child. However, every situation between parents and children is different.
Child custody arrangements are built around a family’s unique needs and situation. For some families, a split custody arrangement is ideal, while for others one parent may not have custody rights. Instead, they could be working to meet other qualifications required by the court to be able to receive a child custody determination that is favorable to them in the future.
Beyond the actual custody determination and status of each parent, there are specifics that can be hammered out per a parenting plan. Parenting plans can capture details, such as pickup and drop-off times and other specifics that can help parents better understand what is expected. Discussing these specifics is the first step to determining a solution that works for all and is in the best interests of the child.
While parents may not see eye to eye on many issues, they can agree that their child is the top priority. With this goal in mind, making decisions on the child’s behalf should become easier. The goal is to make sure that the child has the best scenario possible. This can happen when two parents work together towards that goal.