Why review your parenting plan as the New Year dawns?

As the new year approaches, an opportunity for reflection and renewal presents itself quite obviously. This period of fresh beginnings is not just for personal resolutions but can also be an ideal time for co-parents to revisit and review their parenting plans. 

A parenting plan, often established during a separation or divorce, outlines how parents will raise their children. There are a few reasons why reviewing this plan at the start of a new year can be particularly beneficial as co-parents are looking ahead. 

Making this effort is important

If you co-parent your children with your ex, you may be more acutely aware than most that as children grow, their needs, interests and routines evolve. What worked for you and your co-parent last year might not be as effective now. The new year is a perfect checkpoint to assess what has been changing and to adjust your parenting plan accordingly. This could involve tweaking parenting time schedules, considering new educational needs or incorporating new extracurricular activities into your overall plan of action.

Just as individuals set personal resolutions, parents can set goals for their parenting as a new year dawns as well. This might include fostering a particular aspect of their child’s development, improving communication between co-parents or creating more quality family time. If adjustments to a parenting plan need to be made to foster these new goals, now is the time to talk about that reality with your co-parent. 

Finally, keep in mind that regular reviews of your parenting plan can foster a greater sense of consistency and stability for you, your co-parent and your child. Making this effort helps to ensure that all parties are clear about expectations and responsibilities, reducing the potential for conflicts or misunderstandings during the year to come.