When Texas parents get divorced, they may have the challenging task of creating a parenting schedule. This is the plan for when the child will stay with each household. Its purpose is to ensure that the child is able to maintain a relationship with both parents. Parents should stay focused on this purpose and should not try to use the parenting schedule as a way to get revenge on one another.
It is important for parents to try to approach the situation from the child’s point of view. For example, if the child has a regular child care provider, maintaining that relationship can help ease the transition. The schedule should be focused on what is convenient for the child and not the parents. Therefore, the parents should take the child’s regular activities into account. They should also consider the logistics of where they both live in relation to school and extracurricular activities. Older children may want to express some preference about the schedule. If a child has special needs, these must be considered as well.
Exes shouldn’t think about the parenting schedule in terms of winning and losing. Instead, it’s important to accept and encourage a child’s relationship with both parents. If parents cannot cooperate and make an agreement, they might have to go to court.
Sometimes, even in a contentious divorce, mediation might help parents reach an agreement. This process works toward resolving conflict and finding solutions that satisfy both parties. If they still cannot agree and must go to litigation, a parent’s attorney may be able to offer guidance. Judges will take a number of factors into account when creating the parenting schedule. For example, they might consider what arrangement will be less disruptive for the child, which parent has been the main caregiver and what the child’s wishes are.