Example of Residency Plans
Shared residency plans.
|
More suitable for: |
Less suitable for: |
|---|---|
|
Pre-school and Primary school children |
Babies (definitely not) |
|
Children who are adaptable |
Toddlers |
|
Children who are flexible |
Teenagers |
|
Children who are relatively responsible |
Children who are disorganised |
|
Parents who stay close enough to each other that the children’s schooling, friendships and extra-mural activities do not suffer |
Children who find it difficult to adapt to change |
|
Parents who can co-operate with one another |
Parents who can not speak to each other |
|
Children who have a close relationship and enjoy being with both parents |
Children who are very dependant on one parent |
|
Parents who have the time and resources to take up this type of responsibility |
Parents who have long, inflexible working hours |
|
Parents doing shift work |
Parents with no alternate support structures |
Consider these examples for a shared residency arrangement.
Example one
If one wants to follow the option of a week with every parent, consider to do the switch over between homes on a Friday. The children then have the weekend to settle in before the school week starts.
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Frid
Sat
Sun
Week one
Mom
Mom
Mom
Mom
Dad
Dad
Dad
Week two
Dad
Dad
Dad
Dad
Mom
Mom
Mom
Example two
This option gives the child a "chunk" of 5 days at a time with either parent. This option can cause some discontinuity for the child during week two as result of the Thursday visit. Such visit could be left out. For a younger child it could be important to keep this day in.
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Week one
Dad
Dad
Mom
Mom
Mom
Mom
Mom
Week two
Dad
Dad
Dad
Mom
Dad
Dad
Dad
Example three
This is a very popular option. The Thursday option gives the child a routine in the sense that he or she knows that they will be with dad every Thursday. It is easier to remember that they see dad on Thursdays than remembering a different day for each week.
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thur
Frid
Sat
Sun
Week one
Mom
Mom
Mom
Dad
Mom
Mom
Mom
Week two
Mom
Mom
Mom
Dad
Dad
Dad
Dad