Keith Urban, left, and Nicole Kidman at the 49th AFI Life Achievement Award tribute to Kidman in Los Angeles on April 27, 2024. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban signed a parenting plan ahead of filing for divorce, according to reports.The plan details how the separated pair – who were married for almost 20 years prior to their split – will care for their two daughters, Faith Margaret, who is 14, and Sunday Rose, 17, going forward.The documents were signed in late August and early September, People reported, while the pair filed for divorce in late September, with Nicole requesting she becomes the primary residential parent to their children.But what actually is a parenting plan? What’s in them? And is it generally recommended for separated couples who have kids?We asked solicitors Shona Alexander (Partner) and James Elliot-Hughes (Associate) in the Family team at law firm Charles Russell Speechlys to weigh in.First up, what is a parenting plan?“A parenting plan is a bespoke document, dealing with arrangements for that specific family,” the legal experts explained.It will usually set out details like:where the child (or children) will live,the time they will spend with each parent (or other relatives) during both school holidays and term time,how special events such as birthdays, Christmas, and religious holidays will be shared,day-to-day routines,handover arrangements,travel plans,the preferred method for communication between parents. “Many parenting plans also address key decisions that will affect the child’s life, such as their educational arrangements, healthcare decisions, social media and phone usage, and guidelines for parents introducing new partners to them,” said the legal experts. The best parenting plans are “practical, child-focused, and simply drafted to reduce misunderstandings”, said the pair, but perhaps most importantly, “they work for all members of the family and allow for the changes and evolution in arrangements that will be necessary as the child or children get older”.Raising kids requires a fair amount of logistical planning as it is, so a parenting plan helps co-parents get on the same page straight off the bat.The UK government suggests parents can create a parenting plan if they want a written record of their agreed child arrangements.Cafcass, which represents the interests of children in the family court, has an online parenting plan you can fill in here. It advises parents to include their children (depending on their age) in the creation of the plan. “As you create [it], you will be able to talk to your child about what steps you and your co-parent have taken to make their life easier and happier when it comes to how they can enjoy their family relationships,” said the charity.“The plan should help your child to learn about what to expect on a day-to-day basis, or over the course of the next few years. It has a specific focus on what, where and who is important to them, and encourages you all to think about what makes your family special and unique.”What are the benefits?There are a few! It can reduce conflict as you’re all singing from the same hymn sheet. It can also provide consistency during times of uncertainty, noted legal experts from Charles Russell Speechlys, as “everyone knows the schedule, key decisions are addressed upfront, and children get the stability they need”.Not only that, but such a plan – while a bit of a faff to get organised initially – could save you both time and legal costs by preventing disputes before they start.Is it legally binding?No, not on its own. But that’s not to say it can’t be. “Parents who want it to be legally enforceable can apply jointly to the court to have the plan approved as a consent order,” said the legal pros.“The court will make the order only if it is satisfied that the terms of the plan are in the child’s best interests. Once approved, the consent order makes the parenting plan legally enforceable should a parent breach its terms.”It will need to evolve over timeKids grow up, circumstances change, and a parenting plan drafted five years ago might not work in everyone’s best interests anymore, so the experts noted that “there does need to be some ‘flex’” in the agreement you come up with. They concluded: “If it is too detailed, it can limit flexibility which can cause issues and tension (which it is meant to alleviate) so parents should build in regular review points at key stages of life, and include a simple, agreed process for making sensible updates.”Related...I m A Parenting Coach – This Is Why So Many Kids Can t Seem To Sit StillI m A Parenting Coach, Here s How I Stopped My Son s Tantrum In 7 SecondsIs Second Best Parenting The Secret To A Happier Family?
Wednesday 15 October 2025
huffingtonpost - 2 days ago
Nicole Kidman And Keith Urban Have A Parenting Plan – Here s What It Means


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