If there is one thing in the world that I can say is most precious to me, it is my daughter. I will do everything to show my love and protection to her. My daughter is so blessed to have parents like us, united in raising and loving her. She is so blessed to not grow up under a Parenting Plan.
Parenting plan is an agreement between parents who are divorced or separated relating to how the children will be brought up. It is intended to avoid future conflicts between parents concerning their responsibilities to their children who are affected by the separation.
When parents are separated, the children are most affected. Without proper parenting plan, they will be torn in the tug-of-war of their parents who might have different plans for them. But what is a good parenting plan?
I might not have a real-life experience about parenting plan, but I am writing this as a mother who knows what is best and only the best for my daughter.
A good parenting plan has the following components:
- A plan which is created, studied and agreed upon by both parents
Creating a parenting plan that will work best is not an easy thing to do. Both parents must sit down together and agree on the detailed components of the plan. This will help the parents avoid future conflicts and also will help the child avoid being torn in the middle of the battling parents.
- A plan which allows shared responsibilities between parents in raising the children
A child affected by separation tends to develop some emotional and social problems. Common problems among children of separated parents include fearful of being left alone, developing a sense of loss in losing the family, feeling of rejection, feeling of insecurity of other children who have intact parents, and many more. These problems could be lessened if the parents will show to the children that even if they are separated, they are still united in caring for them. Children will be happier to know that both parents are taking part in the responsibilities of raising them. Examples are shared responsibilities in physical custody, schooling, health care, social activities, decision making, and sharing responsibilities in many aspects of the day-to-day life of the children. Even if separated, each parent should have enough time with the children to develop a good relationship with them. This is a good set-up rather than having the children torn between the conflicts of parents.
- A plan which is based on the best interest of the children
The main focus of a good parenting plan must be the needs and what is best for the children. It’s not about the parents, what’s comfortable to them, or what fits their busy schedule. It’s all about the children; after all, they are an innocent victim to the separation. A good plan will see that every need of the children will be satisfied. From the basic needs of food, shelter, clothing to emotional, physical, social and spiritual needs. This is regardless of the parent’s busy schedule; they should each have enough time with their children to fulfil their duties and to care for them.
Truly, it is the responsibility of separated or divorced parents to see to it that their children will not be totally at a lost after the separation. It is the continuing responsibilities of parents to see to it that the needs of children are well-provided and that their emotional, physical, social and spiritual needs are properly guided. As they say, we should make lemonades out of lemons. The same is true with the separation. A good parenting plan will help your children through the bitter separation and will help them cope with the situation.
