Parenting Plans Aren’t for Parents: How to Create a Plan that Works For Your Kids with Top Parenting Expert, Christina McGhee on The Divorce & Beyond Podcast with Susan Guthrie, Esq. #143

In this episode, Parenting Expert, Christina McGhee returns to talk with Susan Guthrie about all of the things that parents need to consider in order to create a parenting plan that truly works for the children.  

So often when parents sit down to figure out the parenting plan they pull out a calendar and start carving up the time with the kids as if it were another commodity like the bank accounts and debts.  In fact, although the amount of time that children spend with each parent needs to be "equitable" it doesn't need to be 50/50.  In fact, 50/50 rarely actually does (or should) exist.  Find out what the most important considerations actually are for parents who are setting up a time-sharing plan with their children and what will make it successful for the kids.

LISTENER QUESTION:  Christina starts the episode by answering the following question from listener, Kim Cuizon about how conflict between parents affects the kids:  "How about when parents don't talk at all but at the same time there are no conflicts?  They're not close enough as friends but are civil during drop offs.  Will this kind of apathetic relationship have lasting effects on the kids?"  GREAT QUESTION AND A VERY COMMON PHENOMENA!  What to know the answer?  Listen in! 

(If you have a question for Christina, send and email to divorceandbeyondpod@gmail.com and you might hear your question answered on a future episode!)

Some MORE Highlights from the Episode:

• How important is being fair in creating a successful parenting plan for kids?
• What is the two-home concept and how can parents support it?
• Learn how important it is properly message parenting time to your kids.
• Discover why your parenting plan will likely change over time.
• Hear why you should always follow up a verbal agreement with a quick text or email.

And much more so that you can find just the right plan FOR YOUR KIDS!

***SPECIAL SERIES OF EPISODES on DIVORCE AND PARENTING!  Susan is thrilled to have Christina McGhee returning monthly to touch on several of the hot topics in parenting and divorce!  We will be discussing how to co-parent with a high conflict ex, how to handle the holidays and MUCH MORE so stay tuned.  CHRISTINA WILL ALSO ANSWER MORE QUESTIONS SENT IN BY LISTENERS SO SEND AN EMAIL TO divorceandbeyodpod@gmail.com  or by DM to @divorceandbeyond on Instagram with your question and hear the answer on a future episode!***

For More Information on This Week's Special Guest:  Christina McGhee  is a speaker and divorce parenting expert who believes divorce doesn't have to equal devastation for families. While splitting up is undeniably hard, with the right kind of information and support, she thinks parents can be children's absolute best resource as life changes.  

As a coach with 20+ years of experience, Christina is dedicated to providing parents with the tools and practical support they need to get it right for their kids. She is also the author of the highly acclaimed book, Parenting Apart: How separated and divorced parents can raise happy and secure kids.

 

As a child of divorce and as a bonus mom (aka step-mom), Christina gets plenty of opportunities to practice what she preaches.  Together she and her husband have four “adultish” children (2 bonus, 2 bio), an ever-growing community of rescue dogs/cats, and an obscene number of chickens.

You can find out more about her at divorceandchildren.com

*** Christina's Special Gift for Listeners:  Talking to Kids About Divorce:  How to Handle Hard Conversations can be accessed here: https://divorceandchildren.com/just-for-you***

The film Split: A Divorce Survival Guide for Kids (and their Parents) can be viewed here:  https://www.brunofilms.com/split. 

Split is a deeply personal film made in collaboration with children aged 6-12, exploring the often frightening and always life altering separation of their parents.

Split gives us the children's perspective on divorce... no adults, no experts… just kids speaking the powerful truth of what is on their minds and in their hearts. Their wisdom, candor, and humor will give courage to other children, and encourage parents to make better choices as they move through divorce.

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SUSAN GUTHRIE, ESQ., the creator and host of The Divorce and Beyond Podcast, is nationally recognized as one of the top family law and divorce mediation attorneys in the country.  She is one of the Co-Chair's of the American Bar Association's DR Section Mediation Committee and is the Founder of Divorce in a Better Way which provides a curated selection of resources and information for those facing divorce and other life changes.  Susan has created a website of curated resources for those facing divorce.  Find out more at www.divorceinabetterway.com.

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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR!!

 

 FAYR, the BEST Co-Parenting App on the Market!   What makes FAYR different?  At FAYR it's not just about efficiency and ease (though they love those).  They also help you create a better co-parenting experience by providing tools for: constructive communication, argument diffusion, and emotional support.  For information on our FAYR, the ONLY co-parenting app recommended by Susan Guthrie and The Divorce and Beyond Podcast,  visit their website at www.fayr.com.  Don't forget to use the code "SUSANG18" for 20% off!!

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DISCLAIMER:  THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE.  YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM