When Arizona parents get separated or decide to divorce altogether, they may find that sharing the kids with each other can be difficult. However, parenting schedules can be developed by the former couple to create a stable schedule that helps the children adjust to having two households.
During the creation of a parenting schedule, there are several things that should be taken into consideration. This includes the children’s schooling and activity schedule. If the kids are involved in after-school activities, the parent who is able to better accommodate those activities may want to have the kids at that time. Parents also need to consider logistics, especially if they do not live near each other. Sharing custody throughout the week could mean a lot of driving for both the parents and the kids.
If the children are old enough, parents may wish to ask the kids about their desires. Older kids might have specific preferences, especially if they want to be able to continue their social lives. However, this does not necessarily mean that kids should get the final word. If they have some say in how their time will be spend, however, they may have an easier time transitioning to a post-divorce schedule.
While some parents are willing to come to an agreement regarding where the kids will be living, others may have a more difficult time once they realize that they may not get to see their children as much as they would like. A family law attorney may help a parent resolve child custody issues by working to negotiate a parenting schedule that meets the children’s and the parent’s needs.