Modern Parenting Plan Considerations
The world is changing rapidly, which means your parenting plan could, too. When you’re co-parenting with an ex, it’s important to make sure that you’re both on the same page about major issues, like where the children go to school, whether they’ll be raised with religion and other common issues. However, there are some new subjects to consider when making or updating your parenting plan.
Here’s what to discuss with your child’s other parent:
-
- Pandemics and similar issues: The COVID-19 pandemic was a major disruption for divorced and separated families. Thanks to the health concerns, children were suddenly expected to attend school online, while parents scrambled to make appropriate arrangements. Traveling back and forth between homes was also problematic, especially for households with elderly relatives. Many parents disagreed on whether their children should be vaccinated, and when. It’s wise to take a lesson from the last three years and discuss future plans with your co-parent. How will you handle any similar situations which may arise?
-
- Gender discussions: It is increasingly common for people—including children—to decide that the gender they were assigned at birth may not quite fit who they really are. Whether or not you suspect this may be an issue for your children, talk to your child’s other parent about how you’ll handle it if it comes up. The goal should be providing a safe, non-judgmental environment for the children.
-
- Marijuana use: Finally, medical and recreational marijuana use has been largely decriminalized across the country, and some experts predict it will be federally legal in the coming years. Discuss how you’ll handle marijuana use, from how it will be stored to whether you’ll use certain products around the children.
Respectfully discussing these topics goes a long way toward providing a safe and peaceful home for your children. It also encourages a positive co-parenting relationship. If you need assistance creating a parenting plan, the experienced family lawyers at Jakubowski, Robertson, Maffei, Goldsmith & Tartaglia, LLP can help. Call today for more information.