As a divorce mediator, I’ve seen co-parenting plans go both smoothly and not so smoothly.
Here are 5 non-negotiables when it comes to mediating these plans:
Non-negotiable #1:
Communication is key. I cannot stress this enough. It’s crucial to establish open and honest communication between both partners to ensure that everyone’s needs are being met, and any issues can be addressed promptly. This means being respectful, actively listening, and acknowledging each other’s perspectives.
Non-negotiable #2:
Flexibility is essential. Life is unpredictable, and unexpected events will undoubtedly arise. Being flexible in your co-parenting plan will allow for these changes to be accommodated, without causing undue stress or tension.
Non-negotiable #3:
Setting clear boundaries is necessary. Boundaries protect everyone’s needs and ensure that both parents’ expectations are being met. These boundaries should cover things like schedules, visitation rights, and decision-making responsibilities.
Non-negotiable #4:
Don’t involve the children in adult issues: It’s important to remember that the children should not be involved in adult issues, including conflicts between co-parents. Shielding your children from any drama or disagreements will help protect their emotional well-being.
Non-negotiable #5:
Lastly, it’s essential to keep the child’s well-being at the forefront of everything. Remember, they are the ones most affected by the divorce, and they need to feel loved and supported by both parents. Keeping this in mind will ensure that the co-parenting plan is designed with their best interests in mind.
By keeping these non-negotiables in mind, you can create a plan that sets everyone up for success.
Reach out to me if you’d like to learn more about how a parenting plan could work for you.
Beryl McNeill is a Calgary divorce lawyer who strongly believes mutual respect and understanding go a long way toward resolving family law matters. As a Registered Collaborative Law practitioner in Calgary, she has dedicated her firm to amicable, cooperative negotiation as a means for settling divorces. Furthermore, throughout her law career, Beryl has seen the costs of adversarial negotiations, both financial and emotional. In emphasizing the collaborative approach, Beryl offers her clients a more efficient model that preserves personal and monetary assets alike.
More and more individuals are attracted to resolving their family law matters in a civil, respectful way. Therefore, they come to Beryl from many walks of life—as professionals in the oil and gas industry and their spouses, business owners, and working spouses with children. Clients say that even after a single consultation with Beryl they feel less stressed and more clear about the way forward.
Beryl understands the often fearful, emotional early stages of divorce. Incorporating skills developed from her training as a life coach, Beryl helps clients move beyond their stress response to more logical, creative thinking. Once there, she works with clients to discover what’s truly important to them in attaining divorce. Furthermore, she encourages clients to picture what a successful settlement would look like a year or more down the road as a means of focusing on their goals. By educating and empowering clients, Beryl seeks to transform the way they resolve family disputes—in a more constructive, intelligent and amicable way than would be possible otherwise.
Finally, Beryl is very active with the Family Bar and the Collaborative Law Community. Her involvement provides her clients with the assurance that she has her finger on the pulse of Family Law in Alberta, offering them a distinct advantage in their quest for equity and civility.