In the traditional custody/visitation arrangement, the non-custodial parent is provided parenting time to be with the children, taking into account all of the facts and circumstances of the children and the parents. This used to be called “visitation”, while today it is referred to as “parenting time”. Parenting time for the non-custodial parent often consists of alternate weekends, alternate holidays, an evening each week for a few hours and extended time over school vacations. Of course, the specific circumstances of the parties (i.e. work schedules and distance from one another) may necessitate other parenting time arrangements. As with the underlying issue of custody, parents must always try to keep in mind what is best for the children.
For years, the public has held to a myth that any mother sharing custody or parenting time must have failed her role as a mother. That simply is not true. Our courts have concluded that children who do not have two active, loving parents are most likely to wind up in trouble, fail in school and ultimately in the court system. When both parents are employed, each has participated substantially in raising the children and being part of their lives. The divorce of the parties should not change that.
Just recently, the Kalamazoo County Friend of the Court created a Parenting Time Policy. Other counties in the area have established parenting time policies over the years and now virtually each county follows the parenting time plan.