The 6 basic principles for co-parenting after divorce as concluded by the International Council on Shared Parenting (ICSP). These 6 principles provide a smart basis to begin the discussion of how to structure co-parenting arrangements. I’ve provided a link to the full article as well as a summary below.

1. Co-parenting is optimal for child development and well-being, even for children of high conflict parents. For child well-being and positive outcomes, there is a minimum requirement of 1/3 time with each parent and ideally equal (50-50) parenting time, including both weekday (routine) and weekend (leisure) time.

2. Co-parenting includes shared decision-making and shared parental responsibility for the day-to-day upbringing and the general welfare of the children.

3. Family law should include the possibility to give co-parenting orders, even if one parent opposes it. There is a consensus that it is the right of children to be raised by both of their parents.

4. There should be a legal framework including (1) shared parenting as an optimal arrangement for the majority of children of divorce, and in their best interests. (2) parental autonomy and self-determination. (3) limitation of judicial discretion in regard to the best interests of children.

5. There is a need for further research on the intersection of child custody and family violence, including child maltreatment in all forms.

6. There is a need for an accessible network of family clinics and other supports for the success of co-parenting arrangements.

Link to entire article: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/co-parenting-after-divorce/201604/consensus-statement-the-implementation-co-parenting