Parenting Time Structures: Primary vs. Shared Arrangements
Understanding parenting time structures: Primary vs. Shared arrangements
There are two different parenting time structures: Primary vs shared arrangements.
It helps to understand which will work best in your circumstances, common considerations to take into account, and how to navigate transitions between parenting time.
Primary parenting arrangements: The traditional structure
A primary parenting arrangement occurs when one parent has the child in their care for more than 60% of the time. In this structure, one parent serves as the primary caregiver, while the other parent receives specific, scheduled parenting time.
Planning your primary parenting schedule
The parenting time planner offers several tools to help you establish effective schedules:
Visual schedules provide clear documentation of start and end times, shows exactly whose parenting time it is and when as well as when the transition happens and details around those transitions.
Detailed transition information eliminates confusion about co-parenting exchanges by showing exactly whose parenting time it is and when as well as when the transition happens and details around those transitions.
Flexible options allow you to review existing templates or create custom arrangements
If you don't want to use the planner, you can write in a general clause or a specific description of how parenting time will look by using the add a clause feature in the parenting time section.
Shared parenting arrangements
A shared parenting time arrangement is when both parents have the child in their care for more than 40% of the time. These arrangements are increasingly popular. Shared arrangements can benefit a child because the child spends substantial time with both parents. It allows the child to build close relationships with both parents and to feel cared for by both parents.
Benefits of shared parenting arrangements
Shared arrangements work best when the parents live close to each other or to the school so transitions are easy or where the parents want to balance weekday time and weekend time between them or when the parents are really committed to facilitating the children's activities and schedules on both of their time.
The importance of school-based transitions
Most effective parenting arrangements incorporate school-based transitions as the default exchange method. This approach offers multiple benefits for children's emotional well-being and practical convenience.
Reducing conflict and tension
School transitions minimize direct parent interaction during co-parenting exchanges, which can reduce potential conflict between parents, eliminate children's exposure to parental tension, and create a neutral environment for transitions.
But it also eases the transition on children because they have their normal consistent school day as a buffer between one parent's house and the other parent's house.
Making the right choice for your family
Understanding these parenting time structures helps you make informed decisions about co-parenting arrangements. Whether you choose primary or shared parenting depends on your specific circumstances, your child's needs, and both parents' ability to facilitate the chosen arrangement effectively.
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Important Disclaimer
Content and videos in The Divii Knowledge Centre provide general information about separation and divorce and is not and should not be considered legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, it's important to consult with a qualified family lawyer in your area. It's always highly recommended to seek independent legal advice during your separation.