Creating a Parenting Plan

A well-written parenting plan gives children stability and helps parents avoid future conflict. This page explains the core components of a strong parenting plan, how to think through schedules and responsibilities, and what courts typically expect when reviewing an agreement. Use these guidelines to create a plan that fits your child’s developmental needs and supports healthy co-parenting.

Key Components of A Parenting Plan

A strong parenting plan covers how parents will share time, responsibilities, and communication. Courts want to see clear expectations and detailed agreements that reduce uncertainty and support the child’s routine.

Include the following components:

A regular weekly schedule
Holiday and school break schedules
Transportation and exchange rules
Decision-making responsibilities
Communication expectations between parents
Methods for resolving disagreements
Guidelines for travel and special events
How expenses will be shared
Plans for schedule changes or emergencies

Weekly Schedules and Parenting Time

A parenting plan should include a clear weekly schedule that fits your child’s developmental needs, school routine, and each parent’s availability. Courts prefer predictable routines that minimize conflict and reduce transitions for children.

Common weekly schedules include:

2-2-3 schedule (often used for young children)
Alternating weeks (common for older school-aged children)
5-2 schedule (one parent has weekdays, the other weekends)
2-2-5-5 schedule (balanced, stable pattern for many families)
Primary home with midweek parenting time

Choose a schedule that your child can follow consistently and both parents can realistically uphold.

Decision Making Responsibilities

Your parenting plan should explain how major decisions will be made for your child. Courts want clear language that prevents conflict and ensures both parents understand their roles.

Major decisions usually include:

Education
Medical and dental care
Mental health treatment
Extracurricular activities
Religious upbringing
Travel and safety issues

Parents may share these decisions jointly, divide them by topic, or give one parent final decision-making authority after consultation.

Communication Between Parents

Clear communication reduces misunderstandings and helps both homes stay organized. Your parenting plan should outline how parents will exchange information about the child and address day-to-day updates.

Common communication guidelines include:

Using respectful, child-focused language
Keeping messages brief and specific
Sharing important updates promptly
Using agreed-upon apps or tools (e.g., OurFamilyWizard, TalkingParents, email)
Avoiding discussions during exchanges or in front of the child
Not using the child as a messenger

Strong communication rules support smoother co-parenting and reduce unnecessary conflict.

Holidays and School Breaks

Your parenting plan should include a clear holiday and school break schedule. Courts prefer when parents outline these dates separately from the regular weekly routine so both homes know what to expect each year.

Common holiday arrangements include:

Alternating major holidays each year (e.g., Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s)
Splitting winter break
Dividing spring break or alternating it each year
Alternating birthdays or special occasions
Assigning Mother’s Day and Father’s Day to the appropriate parent
Rotating three-day weekends

Holiday schedules override the normal weekly routine so children can spend meaningful time with both parents.

Transportation and Exchanges

Clear exchange rules help prevent misunderstandings and reduce opportunities for conflict. Your parenting plan should explain where exchanges will happen, who is responsible for transportation, and how parents will handle delays or changes.

Common exchange guidelines include:

Choosing a consistent exchange location
Specifying who drives on each day
Setting expectations for punctuality
Explaining how parents should communicate delays
Avoiding conversations or conflict during exchanges
Allowing children to transition calmly between homes

Transportation details make the parenting plan easier to follow and keep transitions predictable for the child.

Schedule Changes and Flexibility

Even with a clear parenting plan, life sometimes requires adjustments. Courts expect parents to be flexible when appropriate, while still respecting the written schedule. Your plan should explain how parents will handle temporary changes and unexpected events.

Helpful guidelines include:

Communicating proposed changes as early as possible
Confirming any changes in writing (text or email)
Sticking to the written schedule if parents cannot agree
Avoiding last-minute changes unless necessary
Prioritizing consistency for the child
Returning to the regular schedule after temporary changes

A well-written flexibility section helps parents avoid conflict and keeps expectations clear.

Expenses and Financial Responsibilities

Parenting plans often include guidelines for how parents will share child-related expenses outside of child support. Clear expectations help reduce confusion and prevent future disputes.

Common shared expenses include:

Uninsured medical or dental costs
Therapy or counseling fees
Childcare or after-school programs
School supplies and activity fees
Sports, clubs, and extracurricular expenses
Travel costs related to parenting time

Parents may divide costs evenly, split them by income percentage, or agree on another arrangement that fits their situation.

Resolving Disagreements

Even with a detailed parenting plan, disagreements will happen. Your plan should outline how parents will address conflicts before returning to court. Courts appreciate when parents use structured, peaceful methods to resolve issues.

Common methods include:

Discussing the issue calmly through text or email
Using a parenting app to track requests or concerns
Scheduling a brief phone call or meeting to talk through the issue
Consulting a neutral third party (mediator, counselor, parenting coordinator)
Returning to the written plan if no agreement is reached
Documenting repeated issues that affect the child

A clear process for resolving disagreements helps protect the child from conflict and gives both parents predictable steps to follow.

A clear and detailed parenting plan creates stability for your child and reduces uncertainty for both parents. Use these guidelines to build a plan that fits your child’s needs and your family’s circumstances. When you're ready to put everything together, the Parenting Toolkit provides templates and worksheets that make the process easier.