In the past, custody schedules often meant that children lived with their mothers after divorce, and their fathers would visit them or take them for the occasional weekend. In more recent times, there has been a shift to far more shared custody. Sometimes, this means a 50-50 split and sometimes it doesn’t, but both parents stay involved.
What is important to remember is that every family is unique. You have unique needs, and you deserve a custody schedule that meets those needs.
For instance, one woman said that her husband had a job that demanded a lot of travel. They thought that a 50-50 split, as popular as it is these days, just wouldn’t work for their teenage children. The children needed more consistency and the chance to focus on school, friends and their own lives.
The result is that they lived with their mother and their father simply saw them when he could. There was no structure in place. If he had time, he would spend it with them. When he didn’t, he wouldn’t drag them out of their routines.
To some families, this would sound very difficult. They need structure, so they know what to expect. For this family, though, it was perfect. It was the solution that actually put their children first, that fit their lives and that worked for all involved. While it may be the wrong solution for another family, it was right for them.
That’s the focus you want to take as you look into your legal options. What works best for your family and how can you put your kids first?