How to Create a Parenting Plan that Works
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👨👩👧 The Big Question
- When families separate, the #1 concern is: How do we make this work for our kids?
- You don’t just want a plan that looks good on paper — it has to work in real life.
- The secret? It’s not a “perfect formula”… it’s the process you use to create it.
💡 Why Mediation Works Better Than Court
- ✅ Keeps decisions with the parents — not a judge who’s never met your kids
- ✅ Higher compliance rates — people stick to what they helped create
- ✅ Turns conflict into collaboration
- ✅ Saves time, money, and emotional energy
📌 What We’ll Cover in This Episode:
- What makes a parenting plan truly workable in day-to-day life
- Why specificity avoids future conflict
- How flexibility actually creates more stability for your children
- Real-world examples of creative parenting arrangements
- Tips for avoiding common pitfalls
⚖ Key Principles Under the Family Law Act:
- Every decision must prioritise the best interests of the children
- Mediation allows you to tailor arrangements to your kids’ needs, personalities, and routines
🔑 Practical Insights We’ll Explore:
- How to balance specificity (clear arrangements) with flexibility (life changes happen)
- Managing logistics — geography, school pickups, holidays, extracurriculars
- Communication strategies — from co-parenting apps to parallel parenting
- Handling financial extras beyond child support
- Navigating big changes like relocation, new partners, and age-appropriate adjustments
- Child-inclusive mediation to ensure children’s voices are heard appropriately
🚀 The Takeaway:
- The best parenting plans are living documents — able to adapt without breaking down
- Mediation keeps you in control, preserves relationships, and protects children from conflict
- You can advocate for your kids and still work cooperatively with your ex
🌐 Want to Learn More?
Visit mediationsaustralia.com.au to see how our accredited family dispute resolution practitioners can help you create arrangements that stand the test of time.
16 episodes