In divorce proceedings, one of the most emotionally challenging subjects is determining a child visitation arrangement. As a parent, you want to spend as much time with your children as possible. However, it is equally important to also consider your co-parent’s rights and what is best for your children’s well-being.
Establishing a visitation schedule that works for everyone involved is crucial for your child’s emotional and psychological welfare. It minimizes the negative impact of the divorce on your child, helping them avoid long-term emotional scars. These arrangements can take several forms in North Carolina, each designed to maintain the child’s relationship with both parents while ensuring their safety and stability.
Alternating weeks schedule
If you and your co-parent live near each other and have adaptable work schedules, an alternating weeks setup could benefit your family. Courts often recommend this schedule when both parents have played active roles in their child’s life and can offer stable home environments. This works well in situations where the parents can communicate effectively and both live in the same school district.
Every other weekend
This schedule is one of the more traditional visitation arrangements. In this setup, your child lives primarily with one parent and spends every other weekend with the other. Courts often recommend this when one parent has served as the primary caregiver or when work schedules complicate more frequent transitions. This provides your child with a stable home base while ensuring regular contact with both parents.
The 50/50 split
An equal custody schedule provides your child with balanced time between both parents. This is particularly common among families where both parents have been actively involved in child-rearing and can continue to do so after separation. This arrangement fosters strong ongoing relationships with both parents. This schedule works best in households where parents can cooperate reasonably, live close to each other, and have similar parenting styles.
Embracing balance and flexibility
It is undoubtedly difficult to separate your own desires from what is truly in your child’s best interests. However, when it comes to ensuring an effective visitation arrangement, it is crucial to put aside personal feelings and focus on what will provide the most stability, comfort and love for your child.
