DEVELOPING A PARENTING PLAN
When developing a parenting plan, the age, needs and personality of your child must be considered. The amount of time a parent spends with their child is not a measure of how much they love their child. You both will continue to be parents of your child. Children struggle with changes and need support on how to cope with them. One of the biggest changes for your child is having parents who live in two different homes.

Things to Consider When Drafting a Plan
- Conflict between parents make it hard for your child to adjust to their new situations. The greater the conflict, the harder it is for your child.
- Your child's need comes first.
- Your child and family members have the right to be safe.
- Life may be less complicated for all of you when there are fewer transitions.
- Many children do better with a "home base" at one parent's home and frequent contact with the other parent, although other arrangements can also work well.
- As children get older, they usually can handle longer periods away from either parent.
- Your child is unique. Consider your child's temperament, personality and needs when creating a parenting plan.
- Your child has a right to love, care and commitment from his/her parents.
- A detailed parenting plan may be more useful for some parents, particularly if there is conflict.
- Consistency and predictability are important for your child.

SAMPLE PARENTING SCHEDULES
The sample visitation schedules below are based on your child's age AND your parenting styles. The schedules are examples to give you ideas on how to create your own personalized visitation schedule.

Parenting Styles
Level A plans - these plans are best suited for parents with extremely busy work schedules, who have not been their child's primary caregiver, or who want regular visits without extensive caregiving responsibility.

Level B plans - these plans are for parents who have been involved in the daily care of their child and want more visitation than in Level A schedules.

Level C plans - these plans are for parents who have been significantly involved in their child's daily care and want the most visitation possible.

Age Birth to 12 Months
Plan A/Option 1 - Three periods of 3 to 6 hours spaced throughout the week. Frequent contact helps your child bond.

Plan A/Option 2 - Two 6 hour periods spaced throughout the week. Use when schedules or conflict make more frequent exchanges difficult. Bonding may be slowed.

Plan B - Two 3 hour periods and one 8 hour period spaced throughout the week.

Plan C - Two periods of 3 to 6 hours and one overnight each week. Note: an overnight presumes the child is sufficiently attached and accustomed to being in the non-custodial parent's care for long periods. Consider if overnights are possible If your child is breastfeeding.

Age 12 to 24 Months
Plan A/Option 1 - Three periods of 3 to 6 hours spaced throughout the week. Frequent contact helps your child bond.

Plan A/Opition 2 - Two 6 hour periods spaced throughout the week. Use when schedules or conflict make more frequent exchanges difficult. Bonding may be slowed.

Plan B - Two 4 hour periods and one 8 hour period spaced throughout the week.

Plan C - One daytime period of 3 to 6 hours and two non-consecutive overnights each week (don't have two overnights in a row). Note: an overnight presumes the child is sufficiently attached and accustomed to being in the non-custodial parent's care for long periods.

Age 24 to 36 Months
Plan A/Option 1 - Two 3 to 4 hours periods and one 8 hour period spaced throughout the week.

Plan A/Option 2 - Two periods of 3 to 6 hours and one overnight each week.

Plan B - One period of 3 to 6 hours and two non-consecutive overnights (don't have two overnights in a row) each week. Ideally, your child should not be separated from either parent for more than 4 days.

Plan C - One period of 3 to 6 hours and two consecutive overnights (two nights in a row) each week.

Age 3 to 5 Years Old
Plan A/Option 1 - Two overnights in a row every other week and an additional overnight or afternoon/evening period each week. For example: every other week from Friday at 5:00 p.m. to Sunday at 6:00 p.m. Each week on Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. to Thursday at 8:00 a.m.

Plan A/Option 2 - Three overnights in a row during week one. During week two, another overnight or a period of 3 to 4 hours in the afternoon/evening. For example: Week one from Thursday at 5:00 p.m. to Sunday at 6:00 p.m. Week two from Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. to Thursday at 8:00 a.m.

Plan B - Four overnights in a row in week one. Another overnight or afternoon/evening period of 3 to 4 hours in week two. For example: Week one from Thursday at 5:00 p.m. to Monday at 8:00 a.m. Week two from Thursday at 5:00 p.m. to Friday at 8:00 a.m.

Plan C/Option 1 - Parents split each week and the weekend. This provides a consistent routine and your child is only away from each parent for 3 days. This plan also provides a "stay home" day with each parent every week. For example: Each week from Sunday at 8:00 a.m. to Wednesday at noon.

Plan C/Option 2 - Each parent has the same two mid-week overnights in a row and alternate weekends. For example: Each week on Monday from 5:00 p.m. to Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. Alternate weekends which begin on Friday at 5:00 p.m. and end on Monday at 8:00 a.m.

Age 6 to 13 Years Old Plan A/Option 1 - Two overnights in a row every other week. An additional period of 3 to 6 hours or overnight may be added each week. For example: every other week from Friday at 5:00 p.m. to Sunday at 6:00 p.m. Every Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Plan A/Option 2 - Three overnights in a row every other week. An additional period of 4 to 6 may be added to each week. For example: every other week from Monday at 5:00 p.m. to Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. Every Saturday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Plan B - Four overnights in a row every other week. An additional overnight in week two. For example: every other week from Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. to Sunday at 8:00 a.m. Week two from Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., or Wednesday at 8:00 a.m.

Plan C/Option 1 - Split each week and weekend. Allows each parent to participate more in their child's academic life and provides a consistent routine. For example: each week from Sunday at 8:00 a.m. to Wednesday at noon.

Plan C/Option 2 - Each parent has the same two weekday overnights in a row with their child and they alternate weekends. For example: Each Monday from 5:00 p.m. to Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. Alternate the weekends between parents which start on Friday at 5:00 p.m. to Monday at 8:00 a.m.

Plan C/Option 3 - This plan gives each parent seven days in a row with their child. For example: From Friday at 5:00 p.m. to Friday at 8:00 am. with the parents alternating each week.

Age 14 to 18 Years Old
Plan A - Two overnights in a row every other week, preferably on the weekend. Can add a 4 hour period each week. It is important that your child have one "home base." For example: every other week from Friday at 5:00 p.m. to Sunday at 6:00 p.m. Every Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Plan B - Parents alternate 7 day periods with their child. Can add a mid-week overnight. For example each parent has their child from Monday at 5:00 p.m. to Sunday at 6:00 p.m. You can also add each parent alternates Wednesday as the midweek overnight.

Plan C - Parents share time with their child on an alternating basis. However, both parents have access to their child on both weekends and weekdays each week. For example: alternate each week between parents from Tuesday or Wednesday overnight to Saturday afternoon. August 2005