The reality is people change. Rules change, living situations change, and people move on to new relationships. The parenting plan addresses many of the pitfalls that come about to keep you out of court or conflict with the other parent. Because dividing time between adults consists of such trust with the other parent, this in a large way promotes some security that you agree on areas. The age of the child of course has a great bearing on how detailed you need to be. Young children NEED consistency between homes where older children are more adaptable but may require more rules. Parenting Plans help future relationships because it allows the significant others in your present or future to read what you agreed on and you will be less prone to follow a different path than what you initially agreed on.

It would be very difficult for someone else to create the best parenting plan for each of you and your children. Coparenting Plans are created to meet the on-going coparenting and families rules that should not end just because a relationship has ended or because there is conflict. You will find even "experts" can't agree on very important issues that are fundamental to coparenting. For example, what type of discipline is best, should the child sleep with you or not, etc..

You know your child better than anyone else and both parents know what direction they want to raise the child in. A parenting plan should consist of at least some of the following:

Bed time routines (Bath?, Reading?, Where does the child sleep?, Does the child use a blanket or pacifier?, Does the child sleep with a bottle?, Does the child sleep in a crib or bed?, Does the child sleep with or without adults?, What do you do in the middle of the night with crying spells, put them in your bed or comfort them to sleep in their own bed?, Do they listen to music while going to sleep?)

Discipline Reward and Punishment: How do you praise- vocally, gift, allowance, charts, etc. How do you discipline? Do you spank, and if so with what? Do you use time out, send them to room, put in corner, ground (and if so, how long and for what consequences), remove privileges? etc. Will you use carry over discipline between the two homes.

Relationships When should you introduce new relationships to the child? What do you want to make sure potential relationships know about your agreement before they decide to become involved? What terms will be used when referring to stepparents?

Daily Routines For younger children, what are the daily routines? What baby care products do you use? What diapers? What formulas? When do you switch foods? When do you potty train? Will you use a pacifier or walker? The list goes on and on with infants. What are the children's bed times? Will the children sleep with adults or in their own room?

Illness What do you do when the children are sick? Do you still exchange? If so should the other parent be able to attend doctors appointments and should they be notified in advance baring an emergency? Should you keep a medicine checklist so you are giving medicines about the same time and noting reactions to the medications?

Extracurricular Activities Do you need to both agree before enrolling the child? What happens when an event occurs during the other parent's possession? Can they still have sleep-overs and independent relationships with friends during the other parent's period of possession? Religion?

Supervision What are your limits on supervision? Can they ride bicycles in the street alone? Can they run down the block to a neighbors? Do they need to check in with you? When can they be left alone and for how long?

Financial contributions How will school activities or extracurricular events be covered? What do you do with clothes, do each of you keep equal stock or does one send a suitcase with all belongings?

Terminology and Respect for the other parent What words will you use (Visiting, Living with, When you are at your other home)? How can you be sure you stay updated about your child without intruding on the other parent's right to privacy with the child?

Decisions Who will make final decisions when all else fails or what steps will you take before bringing it back to the court (i.e. Mediation)?

Professional Appointments Do you need to notice each other in advance of appointments? Who will make the decisions regarding professional services?

Holidays How do you celebrate? Will one have Christmas Eve and the other Christmas day? Do you observe holidays? Do you have religious issues related to holidays? What about the children's birthdays, and what about the parent's birthdays?