One of the biggest difficulties newly divorced co-parents face is communicating with each other. The younger your children are, the longer you are going to have to do this for, so you may as well try to make it as painless and effective as possible. Here are some...
Parenting Plan
What happens if co-parents don’t agree on an important decision?
When parents divorce or separate in Illinois, they usually share parental rights and responsibilities. It has become standard practice for judges to grant each parent a certain amount of time with the children and a share of decision-making authority. Parents have to...
Making virtual visitation work for your tween
Virtual visitation can allow you and your child to connect meaningfully whenever they are residing with your ex. For tweens—children between 9 and 12—making this arrangement work requires thoughtful planning and a bit of creativity. Tweens are at a stage of...
How soon can Illinois parents modify parenting arrangements?
Some parents work cooperatively at the end of their relationship to establish a parenting plan that truly considers their family's needs. Others have to go to family court because they can't agree on what is appropriate and fair for their families. Whether a judge...
Why co-parents should strive to set rules collaboratively
Consistency can be a powerful source of security for children navigating a co-parenting arrangement. While different households may have unique vibes, establishing a foundation of shared rules across them can be important for a child’s well-being. Unless a child’s...
What you need to know about mediating a visitation schedule
When parents divorce or separate, it is important for them to work together to establish a visitation schedule that will work for them and their child. Part of establishing visitation includes arrangement for weekends, holidays, birthdays and other significant...
Why parents must inform their child’s school about the divorce
Divorce can be a chaotic time. Amid the multiple things to process and consider, parents might forget to have a meaningful conversation with people who can be their ally in protecting their child’s well-being. In other cases, parents may feel that their family’s...
Is “birdnesting” after divorce the right choice for your child?
Co-parenting after divorce can be especially challenging when you have a child caught in the middle. You and your ex-spouse may struggle to determine the living arrangement that can protect your child’s growth and development. Depending on the allocation of parental...
Planning for the first holiday season of shared parenting
If you’re a separated or divorced parent facing your first holiday season with shared parenting time, you’re likely dealing with more than the usual pre-holiday stress. You also may be dreading the fact that you’re going to be without your kids on at least one holiday...
Setting rules for children’s use of electronics across homes
If you’re divorcing while your child is still young enough to be happy with a children’s play phone and tablet, you may not have considered including anything about electronics in your parenting plan. However, the day will come soon enough when they’ll expect to have...