Why Should My Parenting Time Consider My Children’s Ages?

 Posted on February 27, 2025 in Family Law

When parents divorce in Illinois, they must file a parenting plan with the court. This comprehensive legal document outlines parental responsibilities, a parenting time schedule, and several other guidelines that address your children’s needs and best interests. Customizing your parenting time schedule is very important.

Some lawyers do not take the time to understand your family’s dynamic, preferring to use generic parenting time arrangements. Our skilled Lombard, IL parenting time attorneys always tailor your plans to meet your and your children’s needs.

Why Do I Need a Custom Parenting Time Schedule?

Whether you have one shared child or several, each is unique. Your parenting time schedule should reflect their individual needs. If there is a significant difference in your children’s ages or if one of them has special needs, you may want to consider setting a different schedule for each child because:

• Children need different things at different developmental levels.

• School or extracurricular activities may be easier for one parent to handle than the other.

• Special needs children may face challenges when moving between households frequently.

Your divorce may already be making your children feel vulnerable and insecure. Provide the stability and reinforcement they need by developing a well-thought-out parenting time schedule.

What Difference Do My Children’s Ages Make?

Although children develop at their own pace, general age groups have specific needs. An important note to remember when creating your parenting time schedule is to include ways to modify your schedule as your child’s needs change. From birth to 18 months old, babies do best when you follow consistent schedules. They need frequent time with each parent.

From 18 months to three years, toddlers thrive with predictable schedules. At this stage, children miss the parent they are not with. Phone or video calls can ease their anxiety.

Three- to five-year-olds often feel responsible for your divorce. Consistency and predictability are important, along with reinforcing your child’s relationship with the other parent. Take special care during these years not to speak negatively about your co-parent in front of your preschooler.

From kindergarten through middle school, children are more comfortable with longer separations from each parent. They are more adaptable, but as they get older, it is a good idea to involve them in discussions about parenting time. Parents still make the final decisions, though. As these kids get more involved with school and friends, you need to begin considering their activities. One parent may work a later shift, so it might be easier for the other parent to transport the kids to soccer practice, for example.

When your children enter high school, they will likely want to spend more time with their friends than with their parents. They want more control over their lives and schedules. You still have the right to make decisions for them, but things will go smoother if you allow your teens to have a say.

Call a DuPage County, IL Parenting Time Attorney

Divorce can be difficult for children, no matter their age. A well-crafted, tailored parenting time schedule can offer the stability they need to flourish. Call A. Traub & Associates today at 630-426-0196 to speak with one of our experienced Wheaton, IL divorce lawyers. If you prefer, send us a brief message online.