Parents preparing for a breakup or divorce often worry about their bond with their children. People typically don’t want to give up half of their parenting time, which is usually necessary at the end of a marital or romantic relationship with the other parent of their children.
Some parents worry that they might lose custody altogether. They may fear the possibility of only seeing their children through visitation due to high levels of conflict with the other parent or other complicating factors. One common concern that parents may have is how their career could affect their parental rights.
Maybe they work a second- or third-shift job, which means they can’t always be home when their children need a parent. Perhaps they have to travel for work, which can make parenting very difficult. Perhaps they have a highly irregular schedule. Can parents with demanding careers or complicated job schedules still pursue shared custody?
Parents can plan for any family circumstance
There are undoubtedly many professional scenarios that make shared custody more difficult. However, it is very rare for a career to prevent a parent from having shared custody. Typically, parents can work out custody schedules that allow them to share custody even if they work a second or third-shift job. Childcare services and a carefully planned division of parenting time can allow those with later work schedules to be active parents.
For those with irregular schedules, flexibility can be a key component of a successful parenting plan. The same is true for parents who regularly travel for their careers. The combination of creative scheduling and an ability to adjust the division of parenting time as needed can allow them to maintain a regular presence in the lives of their children.
Typically, the courts want to see parents cooperating when showing up for their children to the best of their abilities. Finding childcare solutions, which might include working with family members, can help those worried about how their careers might affect their parental rights. So can establishing a parenting plan that prioritizes flexibility and communication.
Even those in the most unpredictable professions can often share custody with plenty of overnight parenting time. Discussing personal concerns and family needs can help parents establish workable goals and strategies for upcoming custody negotiations.