What is a parenting plan?

If you’re divorcing and you have children, prioritising their needs during your separation will help them thrive in the future. Creating a parenting plan is a good way to minimise the impact on your children.

A well-thought-out parenting plan sets out key arrangements such as living schedules, communication, and decision-making responsibilities, helping children feel secure and supported during a time of change.

By agreeing on these details early, you can lessen the emotional impact on your children and lay the foundation for a healthy co-parenting relationship.

A parenting plan helps you consider two critical things when separate:

1. Your relationship as parents to your children is not ending – how will you create an effective co-parenting relationship?
2. What do your children need from you individually and collectively to thrive and be happy in the future?

What is a parenting plan?

A parenting plan is a written agreement made by parents in the process of separating or divorcing. It covers how to co-parent children during and after your breakup. The first thing many parents face when divorcing with children is how to tell them. A parenting plan can help you decide what to say and when, clearly recording the decisions you’ve made about how and where the children will live is important.

Your parenting plan can be revised and updated as your children grow or as your family circumstances change. If you’re interested in learning more about co-parenting at different ages and how to incorporate this into a parenting plan; listen to this episode of The Divorce Podcast where Kate Daly, Co-Founder of amicable is joined by clinical therapist and manager, Julie Cooper, to discuss the reality of co-parenting across the varying stages of childhood:

Another important thing to sort out is how you will organise holidays and special occasions once you live in separate houses. Where will the children spend Christmas this year, or how will you handle their birthdays?

Additionally, when you’re divorcing with children, communicating arrangements is vital. Some questions you might want to ask your co-parent could include what kind of balance works for both of your individual commitments and how to create an amicable co-parenting relationship.

A parenting plan helps you collect, share and communicate about all of the issues involved when you’re divorcing with children. Having a plan in place will lay the foundations for more successful co-parenting.

What to include in a parenting plan

When creating a parenting plan, it’s important to cover all aspects of your child’s upbringing. Every family is different, but a well-rounded parenting plan typically includes:

• Living arrangements – where your child will live and how time will be split
• Shared-careschedule – when and how often the child will see each parent
• Schooling and education decisions
• Health and wellbeing responsibilities
• Holiday and special occasion arrangements
• Communication plans – how parents will share updates and decisions
• Financial contributions and child maintenance
• Agreements around new partners and extended family involvement

Why Use a parenting plan?

A parenting plan provides structure and predictability for both parents and children. By agreeing on things in writing, you reduce the chances of future disputes and misunderstandings.

It can also be a useful reference if circumstances change or if tensions arise. Most importantly, a parenting plan keeps your child’s wellbeing at the heart of every decision.

Our app can help if you’re separating with children

Our amicable app contains easy-to-use templates to help you create your parenting plan. Collect, share and communicate essential information with your ex about parenting decisions, goals and have complete peace of mind through a secure chat feature. You can easily set up your parenting plan following guidance in the amicable co-parenting app.

Download the co-parenting app and try our 7-day free trial

Contact amicable today for more on parenting plans

If you're facing the challenges of separation or divorce and want to ensure the best outcomes for your children, creating a parenting plan can provide much-needed clarity and structure. At amicable, our experts help separating couples develop fair, child-focused arrangements that support co-parenting and minimise conflict.

For support that covers your specific circumstances, please contact us to speak with one of our co-parenting specialists. You may also find it helpful to explore our co-parenting app and article on Separation Agreements to understand your options more fully.

Parenting plan FAQs

What should be in a parenting plan?

A parenting plan is a roadmap for co-parenting after separation or divorce. It can reduce conflict and create a stable environment for your child(ren). It can include living arrangements, how you will communicate, special occasions, and expenses, among other things.

Who prepares a parenting plan?

You can create a parenting plan between the both of you or you can choose a service like amicable to assist you with your child arrangements and negotiations. You can book a free 15-minute consultation to speak with one of our Co-parenting Experts here.

Do I have to do a parenting plan?

You don't 'need' a parenting plan. However, it can help structure and organise your co-parenting arrangements so that everyone is aware of factors such as communication, living arrangements, expenses etc.