Page 61 - Meeting with Children Manual

Section 4

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PARENTING ARRANGEMENTS

Shared Parental Responsibility/Joint Custody
1. The parents agree that they share all the duties, powers responsibilities and
authorities for their children Lilly and Kyle
Time
2. The parents agree that they shall each work to relax the current arrangements
with respect to the time the children spend with each of them. They acknowledge
that the current arrangements have required a structure that has created added
stress for the whole family, particularly the children
3. The parents agree that they seek to work towards Lilly and Kyle living with SUE for
7 nights a fortnight and with TOM for 7 nights a fortnight
4. They agree that initially Lilly and Kyle will live with TOM on the Wednesday and
Thursday of the first week of the fortnight, and the Thursday Friday and Saturday
of the second week of the fortnight. At other times the children will live with SUE
5. The parents agree that the process of “working towards” mentioned above
requires each parent to be able to demonstrate a solid parental role and model,
with the children. They therefore agree that:
a. Each parent will actively support the parenting decisions, styles and
approaches of the other parent, and will seek to avoid making criticism (or
implied criticism) of the other parent in front of the children. They will also
seek to encourage other members of the family to support this arrangement
b. Each parent will continue with their personal counselling sessions
c. Each parent will actively support the counselling provided for Lilly and Kyle
through the school and other providers
6. The parents agree that they shall continue their discussions with respect to the
planning for
a. School holidays
b. Christmas, birthdays, and other special days
c. Involvement in the school calendar events, and parent/teacher interviews
Physical Space
7. The parents agree that they shall work with the children to create bedroom spaces
that allow for the children to enjoy their privacy at each house. With this in mind,
they agree that the children will have their own rooms in any future houses
8. The parents agree that the garage at TOM’s house will be converted to
accommodate a homework and games area

Psychological Space
9. The parents agree that they shall not communicate through the children for any
reason. They agree that transitions will remain respectful at all times, and they
shall minimize substantive discussions during these times
10. They agree that all future communication will occur through email and text
message.
11. The parents agree that they speak respectfully about the other parent at all times.
In particular, they agree that they shall not use any denigrating language about the
other parent in discussions with their children or in discussions within ear shot of
their children

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