Parents who live together or are married to one another can usually share their parental responsibilities relatively easily. Parents who have divorced or separated may have a more difficult time determining how to handle their children’s needs.
For example, if the school nurse calls home to report that a child has fallen ill or sustained a playground injury, married couples might discuss the matter with one another and decide who can take the rest of the day off work to pick up and care for the child.
When a family is subject to a parenting plan dividing parenting time and authority, which parent is generally responsible for attending to their child’s needs in the event of an illness?
The parenting schedule determines responsibility
When New Jersey parents establish a parenting plan, the division of parenting time that they negotiate also directly influences daily parental responsibilities. The adult who currently has parenting time doesn’t just enjoy access to the children. They also have an obligation to meet all of their needs, including medical needs.
Generally speaking, the parent responsible for picking the children up from school that day is also the parent who is ultimately responsible for making arrangements if the child cannot finish their day at school. In scenarios where one parent may not be able to leave work to come to the children’s needs in an emergency scenario, that limitation may ultimately influence how the parents allocate parenting time.
Ensuring that a parenting plan accurately addresses a family’s unique circumstances can make it easier for parents to share parental rights and responsibilities. Preparing for the inevitability of a sick day can help parents establish appropriate custody arrangements that limit opportunities for conflict or unmet needs.