Creating an Illinois Parenting Plan When You Have an Infant

 Posted on August 07,2020 in Children of divorce

Perhaps one of the most difficult and challenging parts of the divorce process for parents is creating a parenting plan for their children after their divorce is finalized. The parenting plan will act as a blueprint for how most things related to parenting and the children should be handled. No two parenting plans are the same, as each family has different needs and situations. There are many factors that can affect your parenting plan, but one of the biggest factors can be your child’s age. Creating a parenting plan around infants, especially, can seem daunting, but it is not impossible. If you have a baby and you need to create a parenting plan, the following are a few things to keep in mind.

Frequent Visits Are Important

There are many different types of visitation schedules you can create for your children, but when it comes to parenting time with an infant, the more frequently it occurs, the better. Infants do not yet have the ability to create the best memories, so frequent interactions with both parents will ensure that the baby is able to form a bond with both of them and recognize they are important people in their life as they grow older.  

Stick to a Routine

Babies also do well when they are on a routine and know what to expect. You and your co-parent should try to come up with a routine that you both agree with as to when the child will go to sleep at night; when he or she will take naps; when meals will be served; and whether or not you will use breastmilk or formula. If the child is breastfeeding, proper planning is needed to ensure that the non-breastfeeding parent has an adequate supply of milk on hand for the duration of the visit.

Agree on Communication Methods

As your baby grows, there will be many happy occasions, joyous milestones, and important news to share. When things like that arise, you will want to be sure you have a clear line of communication with your co-parent so you can inform him or her of what is happening. You will also want to be sure that your co-parent knows what is expected of him or her when something big does take place. For example, when your child takes his or her first steps, you and your co-parent can agree that whoever is present when it occurs will record it and send it to the other parent.

Discuss Your Situation With a Geneva Divorce Attorney

Co-parenting after a divorce is difficult for any parent, but it can be especially difficult for parents who have an infant child. Babies have many different needs than older children, which can make it tricky to find a good balance in a parenting plan. At the Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C., we understand the importance of building a solid parenting plan to follow after your divorce. To schedule a private consultation with our Kane County parenting plan lawyer, call our office today at 630-409-8184.

Sources:

https://www.ourfamilywizard.com/blog/parenting-plan-for-infants

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/co-parenting-after-divorce/201303/co-parenting-infants-and-very-young-children

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=075000050K602.10