Shared parent plan

[optimisticandsad]

Hi all,

DP and I are on the verge of splitting when financially feasible and living as housemates currently. He has asked me to do a shared parent plan and email it to him so he can add his wishes and sign it off.

Is there anything I need to remember or that is worth putting down?

its not legally binding unless we obviously go down that route and we plan to do another when DD is older and circumstances change (she’s 2).

Thanks

I guess the obvious like how time is divided.

what each parent should have in their home and what should move with the dc when they move between houses.

what you will do when one parent is poorly and will be less able to look after DC.

under what circumstances routine should be changed. I.e we had that it could be changed around DC activities but not ours.

How long you should be seeing a new partner before introducing dc.

Add in who pays for what

Holidays. That you are both able to take them out the country for up to two weeks a year etc

Who holds/applies for passport and when it’s handed over.
What happens when child is off school, ill, inset days etc

The most effective thing when I drafted mine with my former spouse was how simple, practical, and child-orientated we made it. Simply set out the key factors - where your DD will be living, how she will see each parent, and how you will work around things like holidays, birthdays, or when she is ill. Also consider how handovers are going to work (time, place, routine etc.), as this is often where tension will arise.

You could also incorporate how you would like to communicate about her (txt, WhatsApp, email) and when decisions will be made over nursery, health, or travel for example. For clarity, it is not legally binding but will save some misunderstanding if it is written down.

At two, essential to include a degree of flexibility, as the needs of toddlers can change quickly. You could also say that it will be reviewed every six months or upon changing circumstances.

If you need some ideas, there is a decent parenting plan template published on GOV.UK, which covers everything practical but is not too formal.