A parenting plan is a written agreement between the parents about the care of the children which is signed and dated. A parenting plan focuses on the needs and best interests of the children. The plan is worked out and agreed upon between you and your ex-partner jointly, in mediation, facilitated by the mediator, and can be drawn up comprehensively with the assistance of the mediator.

A parenting plan can be created quickly and cost-effectively. It can be easily amended along the way. This is the simplest and most stress-free way of documenting your parenting agreement.

A parenting plan is not a legally enforceable agreement. It is different from a parenting order which is made by a court. To change a parenting plan into a legally enforceable agreement, parents can apply to the court for a parenting consent order which is based on the agreed parenting plan. Parenting plans work because unlike court orders they are made by you as parents, based on what you know will work for your family.  They can be as detailed or as brief as you need but having an agreed plan can significantly help to minimize the amount of harmful conflict your children are exposed to.

Unlike court-imposed parenting orders, parenting plans are flexible and fluid. They can be reviewed and amended by agreement, as the needs of your children and family invariably change.