Reaching an agreement about child contact with non-resident parents can be challenging, especially during emotionally raw times. However, the primary focus should always be on what is in the best interests of the child, rather than individual desires or entitlements.
When considering appropriate child contact arrangements, it’s important to take into account your own working hours and availability to ensure meaningful and quality contact. For instance, it’s generally not advisable to seek overnight contact with a young child if it involves only collecting them to put them to bed and then returning them early the next morning. Children thrive on stability and routine, so disrupting this routine can be detrimental to their welfare.
Similarly, when planning holiday contacts, consider your availability during those times. Children typically have around 13 weeks of school holidays per year. It’s essential not to request half of the school holiday time unless you are able to be present and spend quality time with your child during those periods.
If your contact arrangement is outlined in a court order (child arrangements order), it’s crucial to adhere to its terms. Failure to comply with the order can result in breaches, leading to potential legal actions and associated costs if the other parent seeks enforcement or modification due to non-compliance.
Approaching shared parenting from a practical perspective often facilitates reaching an amicable agreement. Based on my experience as a family law solicitor, many enforcement or variation applications regarding child contact orders could have been avoided with careful consideration of practical arrangements and each parent’s availability from the outset.
By prioritising the child’s welfare over parental wishes and emotions, especially during emotionally charged times, it’s usually possible to achieve a more positive outcome for everyone involved.
