Parents in California may choose to create a custody schedule that sees a child spend a week with one parent and the next week with the other parent. While that may work out well for the adults, it is unlikely that it will work out well for the children. Younger children generally shouldn’t go more than two or three days without seeing both of their parents. Otherwise, they could develop separation anxiety or other emotional problems.
There are several other issues to consider before deciding how to allocate parenting time. First, parents will need to look at their work schedules to determine when they will be able to pick the children up from school, drop them off at activities or be there when the children get home. It is also important to consider the child’s age when developing a plan. In many cases, older children will be able to look after themselves after school or tolerate spending longer periods of time with one parent.
While parents may want to split custody or visitation rights on a 50/50 basis, it may not be possible to do so. In some cases, parents may have to settle for having their kids 40% of the time if their work schedule or other circumstances don’t allow for an equal split.
It is possible for parents to feel a variety of emotions such as anger, fear or anxiety during a divorce proceeding. However, it is generally best for individuals to remain calm and objective when resolving child custody and child support issues. Doing so may make it easier to come to a divorce settlement in less time and with less drama. An attorney may be able to explain the potential benefits of being flexible as it relates to crafting a parenting plan.
