RULE 9.42                 TRANSITIONAL SCHEDULE FOR COMPANIONSHIP

                 GENERAL PARENTING PRINCIPLES

 During and after a divorce, there is often a crisis period (from several months to years) during which families are under great stress because of loss, conflict, and change.  Most studies show and psychologist uniformly agree, that the children who do best following divorce are from those families which maintain a low level of conflict.  The absence of conflict is even more critical than the amount of time either parent spends with the child.

 Children, however, clearly profit by continued meaningful contact with both parents.  Children need the continuing and regular involvement of both parents to feel loved.  No specific schedule will satisfy the change in needs of both children and parents over the years.  Critical to the success of any schedule is that each parent be flexible, based upon the changing needs of a child as the child grows older.

 This Guideline Parenting Schedule takes into account the changing developmental needs of children.  It is recognized that each situation and each child is different.  It is preferred that parents tailor the parenting schedule to meet the specific needs of their children.

 In all cases, including requests for 75(M) orders, the court will strive to adopt a parenting schedule that is in the child(ren)’s  best interests.  Any request to deviate from the following parenting schedule shall be supported by the filing of the proper affidavits/evidence.  The factors contained in ORC 3109.05.1(D) shall be considered in any proposed deviation from the guideline parenting schedule.  Absent a request for deviation and the filing of affidavits/evidence in support thereof, the court will impose the guidelines set forth below.

 A good parenting schedule developed for a family should be based upon the following considerations:

A.                The developmental needs and age of each child.

B.                The psychological attachments of each child.

C.                The way child rearing tasks were shared during the marriage.

D.                The preservation or development of a close relationship with each parent.

E.                 A consistent and predictable schedule that minimizes the transition between 

                    the households, especially where young children are involved.  Failure to  

                    consistently exercise parenting time may result in modification of the   

                    parenting schedule.

F.                Each child’s temperament and ability to handle change.

            G.                Parents career demands and work schedules.

H.                The need for periodic review of the plan, noting trouble signs and revising  

                               as each child’s needs and circumstances change.

 

For purposes of exercising this parenting schedule,____________________is designated the residential parent and __________________ is designated the non-residential parent.

 The policy of the following time allocation is to provide a schedule which is best suited for the particular age of that child(ren).

 

1.                For an initial four week period commencing Saturday/ Sunday __________________, the Non-Residential Parent shall visit with the child each Saturday/Sunday from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. in the Residential Parent’s home, or at such alternate time or location as is mutually agreed to by the parties.

 

2.                  For the following four week period, commencing____________________________, the Non-Residential Parent shall have visitation each Saturday/Sunday from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. outside of the Residential Parent’s presence at the Non-Residential Parent’s home or that of a member of his or her family.

 

3.                  For the following four week period, commencing ___________________________, the Non-Residential Parent shall have overnight visitation each Friday/Saturday night from 6:00 P.M. Friday/Saturday to 6:00 P.M. Saturday/ Sunday.

 

4.                  At the end of the above twelve week period, the Non-Residential Parent shall have visitation in accordance with the Court’s Companionship Order , a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A.  The Court reserves the right to extend the transitional time in the best interests of the child.

 

Should the Non-Residential Parent fail to observe the schedule set forth in Paragraph 1, then visitation shall not expand as set forth in Paragraph 2.   Should there be a failure to observe the schedule as set forth in Paragraph 2, then visitation shall not expand as set forth in paragraph 3.  Should there be as failure to observe the schedule set forth in Paragraph 3, then visitation shall not expand as set forth in Paragraph 4.

 

In order to exercise visitation under this Court’s Companionship Order, it is expected that the Non-Residential Parent will provide appropriate accommodations for each child, including but not limited to a car seat and crib if needed.