Making a parenting plan is essential to making divorced and separated parenting work.

Creating a parenting plan from scratch is not easy and there are many examples to help you make the best plan for your situation. Here is a checklist of all the things you should consider when making your perfect parenting plan.

Parenting arrangements guideline (PDF down load)

• 1. Residence 

Does one parent have sole physical custody or was joint custody awarded?
Is there a babysitter with whom or child care facility where your children stay?
Do both parents live close to each other or will there need to be extensive travel for exchanges?
What should be done if one parent moves from the area?

• 2. Financial Issues 

Do any of the children have special needs that require extra payments?

Which parent pays child support and how much is paid?
Which parent will claim the children as dependents on tax forms?
How will travel expenses for exchanges and visitation be divided?

3. Holidays, School Activities and Extracurricular Activities 

How will holidays and vacations be spent?
What extracurricular or school activities do the children participate in?
How will parents communicate about the children's activities and holiday visitation?
Are there any special arrangements that need to be made for holidays and activities?

4. Dental and Medical Care 

Which parent is responsible for taking the children to their appointments?
How and by whom will medical and dental bills be paid?
How will disagreements about the children's care be resolved?
Will both parents have access to medical and dental records?

5. School 

Where will the children attend school?

How will sick days, holidays, school breaks and weather-related days off be handled?
Will both parents have access to school records?
Will both parents be responsible for making important educational decisions such as higher education and changing of schools?

6. Miscellaneous Issues

Are there any special relationships the children have with extended family members?
How will parents stay in contact with each other (email, phone, instant messenger, third party)?
Are there restrictions about communications to the children (negative comments about the other parent, how messages will be delivered)?

Are there any other issues that need to be addressed?

Creating an effective parenting plan is important to make custody and visitation for your divorce or separation situation work. Consider the above checklist and use it as a guideline to make the best parenting plan possible for your family. You can make adjustments as needed.