Author: MJT
You Don’t Have to Get a Divorce to Have a Parenting Plan
Most states require divorcing couples who have dependent
children to come up with a parenting plan.
The plan lays out when the kids are with each parent and who is
responsible for what. The court has to
approve the plan to make sure it is in the best interest of the children.
Discipline
Disciplining the kids can grow from dealing with a naughty
baby to a full-blown marital melt-down.
In your parenting plan, decide together how you will discipline the
kids. And remember, having your own way
is not worth the stress on the marriage.
Hash it out and compromise.
Responsibilities
Decide together who has responsibility for what. Sometimes
you’ll have to modify this part of the parenting plan on a day-to-day
basis. Negotiate kid responsibilities,
meals and chores. Don’t forget to
negotiate couple time and the all-important just-for-me down time so you can
take a bubble bath (uninterrupted) or watch a movie or read a book or go out
with friends. If you don’t plan time for
each of you and time together, it won’t happen.
Part of your parenting plan should include the word,
“No.” If you do not say no to your kids,
they will have you driving them somewhere or picking them up constantly. They do not need to be involved in every
function and activity they want to. It’s
okay to put a limit on it…but you do have to plan for it and be in
agreement. That keeps them from playing
you against each other. You know, going
to Dad and saying, “Mom said it’s okay if it’s okay with you,” and then going
to Mom and saying the same thing.
That’s part of why you need a parenting plan. Kids are smart and they are master
manipulators. They are geniuses at
finding and exploiting any and all cracks, loopholes and soft spots. You have
to be proactive to stay ahead of them.
Secret Signals
Your parenting plan must include secret signals because they
protect your sanity. You need the usual
marital secret signals, like the one that says, “I can’t stand these
people. Please get me out of here!” With kids though, you need a separate set of
secret signals, and you’ll probably need to develop it over time. You’ll need secret looks that signal
agreement or disagreement without the kids picking up on it. You’ll need a secret signal for, “Please help
me out or I’m going to hurt this kid,” and one for, “I know what he did is
hysterical but don’t you dare laugh. I’m
trying to make a point, here.”
You don’t have to get a divorce to make a parenting
plan. All you have to do is sit down
with your spouse and talk about it.
Discuss what each of you thinks “good parenting” looks like and how
you’ll accomplish it. Make a parenting
plan that helps your support and care for each other, and is in the best
interest of your kids.
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