Parenting Agreements - How to Craft a Parenting Agreement that WorksOf course, the bigger purpose of parenting agreements is to ensure that a child's physical, emotional and intellectual needs are met. When everyone's responsibilities are clearly defined and core parenting values are agreed upon, life is more stable for the child. In your agreement, you will detail important specifics that include everything from health care to rules about the importance of visiting extended family. Although you may believe that you agree on important issues with your ex, it is essential to get this agreement on paper, so there are no nasty surprises. When you start drafting your parenting agreement, you will find that there are a number of templates to follow on the web. While it pays to do your research and find out what other parents feel is important, think hard about what you want to specify in your contract. Some common areas to address are when the non-custodial parent can pick up the child and see them, food that the child is allowed to eat, medical care, emergency contacts, grandparent rights, child development issues (if your child has a developmental disorder) and visits during the holidays. These can be highly charged areas to consider and it is best to get them down in black and white.
Take the time to carefully craft your parenting agreement. Think deeply about what is best for your child, so you will know when you have reached an agreement that covers as many bases as possible and unites you and your ex in the common goal of raising a healthy, happy child. Copyright © 2009 by Laura Ramirez. All rights reserved. Ms. Ramirez is the author of the parenting book, Keepers of the Children: Native American Wisdom and Parenting which won a Nautilus award for "books that promote conscious living and social change." Parenting Agreement - Single Parenting Parenting New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
