Married couples may not need much childcare support. They may only need to have an occasional babysitter for date nights. They might call on grandparents in an emergency. If both parents work, the children might go to daycare. Otherwise, one parent or the other can make themselves available to take care of the children.
Once parents divorce or separate, sharing parental responsibilities can become more difficult. Both parents may require childcare services as they balance parental responsibilities with household management and their careers.
Children are vulnerable in childcare settings or when left with people their parents know. Therefore, parents putting together comprehensive parenting plans often want to address safety concerns using one or more of the three strategies outlined below.
Request the right of first refusal
People looking for affordable childcare sometimes rely on new romantic partners, friends or family. Informal arrangements may increase the risk of the children experiencing mistreatment. As such, parents frequently add the right of first refusal to their parenting plans. If either parent cannot be physically present with the children, they should see if the other is available before bringing in an outside party to care for the children.
Establish childcare standards
Another simple way of keeping the children as safe as possible involves establishing baseline standards for childcare providers. Parents may insist on the use of licensed professional facilities. Licensed professionals may charge more for their services, but they are also subject to background checks and regulations that help ensure the safety of the children.
Eliminating certain childcare providers
Sometimes, the main concern about childcare arrangements is the possibility that a parent might leave the children with someone who is dangerous or volatile. Parents may sometimes agree to eliminate certain individuals as potential childcare providers. Family members who have a history of substance abuse or domestic violence are examples of people who may not be appropriate childcare providers. Parents also frequently impose restrictions on using new romantic partners as unpaid childcare providers.
Establishing clear rules about child care can reduce the opportunities for conflict in a shared custody arrangement. Parents who address these issues ahead of time are less likely to end up arguing over one another’s basic parenting decisions.
