You and your ex-spouse are happy to listen to what your child has to say, but you want to make sure that the custody arrangements you have in place are what’s best for them. By law, you, as parents, have the most control over custody arrangements if you and your ex create a parenting plan and custody schedule together.

However, it usually is in the best interests of the relationship you have with your child to at least listen to their preferences. For instance, if your child is a teen and wants to live with the parent of the same gender the majority of the time, this could come down to comfort during puberty or other related issues. That’s something to consider before deciding on a plan.

Another thing to keep in mind is that when all parties involved in custody arrangements are satisfied, there are fewer problems that are likely to arise. A child who is happy with seeing both parents during the week may not be as happy with a week-on-week-off program. In that case, you and your ex-spouse should discuss if it’s possible to set up custody in a way that allows you to see your child more frequently. If not, then you can explain why that won’t work to your child.

Overall, communication is key when it comes to child custody arrangements. Listen to what your child has to say, even if you don’t end up doing exactly what they want. You need to know what their preference is so that you can make the best possible arrangements.