Building a Foundation for Co-Parenting
Parenting Plans
Create a detailed, practical parenting plan that puts your children first. Cover everything from daily routines to holidays, communication, and important decisions.
What Is a Parenting Plan?
A parenting plan is a written agreement between separated parents that sets out how you will raise your children together. It covers practical matters like where children will live, how time will be shared, and how important decisions will be made.
Creating a parenting plan through mediation helps you work together to build a detailed, practical agreement that puts your children first. The mediator guides your discussions and helps you think through all the details that matter for your family.
Unlike a court order, a parenting plan is flexible and can be updated as your children grow and circumstances change. However, if you want your agreement to have legal standing, it can be made into a consent order.
A good parenting plan reduces conflict by setting clear expectations. When both parents know what to expect, there are fewer misunderstandings and disagreements, which is better for everyone, especially your children.
Benefits of Mediation
Mediation offers many advantages over going to court. Here is why families choose mediation to resolve their disputes.
Tailored to Your Family
A parenting plan can be as detailed or flexible as your family needs. You can include specific arrangements that work for your unique circumstances.
Reduces Conflict
Clear agreements mean fewer misunderstandings and arguments. Your children benefit from parents who can communicate calmly.
Child-Focused
The mediation process helps you stay focused on what is best for your children, rather than past disagreements.
Flexible and Adaptable
Parenting plans can be reviewed and updated as children grow older and their needs change.
Promotes Cooperation
Working together to create a plan builds a foundation for cooperative co-parenting in the future.
Covers All the Details
A comprehensive parenting plan can address holidays, birthdays, communication, new partners, and much more.
How Online Mediation Works
Our online mediation process is straightforward and designed to make resolving your dispute as simple as possible.
Initial Meetings
Each parent attends a separate meeting to discuss their situation and what they hope to include in the parenting plan.
Joint Mediation Sessions
You work together in online sessions to discuss and agree on all aspects of your parenting plan.
Draft Your Plan
The mediator helps you write down your agreements clearly so both parents understand exactly what has been agreed.
Review and Finalise
You both review the plan, make any final adjustments, and agree on how you will handle future changes.
What Should a Parenting Plan Include?
A comprehensive parenting plan can cover all aspects of raising your children. Common topics include:
Day-to-Day Arrangements
- Where children will live during the week and weekends
- How children will travel between homes
- Handover arrangements (where, when, and how)
- Routines for homework, bedtimes, and meals
Holidays and Special Occasions
- School holiday arrangements
- Christmas, Easter, and other celebrations
- Birthdays and special events
- Family holidays abroad
Communication
- How children will stay in touch with the other parent
- Phone calls, video calls, and messaging
- How parents will communicate about the children
- Sharing information about school and health
Important Decisions
- Education and school choices
- Medical and health decisions
- Religious upbringing
- Extracurricular activities
Other Matters
- Introducing new partners to children
- Arrangements if one parent wants to move
- How disagreements will be resolved
- When and how the plan will be reviewed
Planning for the Future
Children's needs change as they grow. A good parenting plan acknowledges this and includes arrangements for reviewing and updating the plan. Common times to review include:
- When children start or change schools
- As children become teenagers
- If either parent's circumstances change significantly
- On an agreed regular basis (such as annually)
Mediation can help you review and update your parenting plan whenever needed, ensuring it continues to work well for your family.
Why Choose Online Mediation?
From Your Home
Participate from the comfort and privacy of your own home, anywhere in England and Wales.
Flexible Scheduling
Book sessions at times that work for you, including evenings and weekends where available.
Safe and Secure
All sessions are conducted via secure video conferencing platforms like Zoom or WhatsApp.
Resolve Disputes Before Court Proceedings
Mediation can help you reach an agreement without the stress, cost, and time of going to court. In most cases, you are required to attend a MIAM before applying to court for orders about children or finances. Many families find that mediation helps them resolve their disputes entirely, avoiding court proceedings altogether.
Ready to Create Your Parenting Plan?
Work together to build a parenting plan that works for your family. Our mediators help you cover all the details and create a solid foundation for co-parenting.