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When parents separate, one of the most important concerns is determining how children will continue spending time with each parent. In Kingston, parenting arrangements are designed around the best interests of the child, focusing on emotional stability, healthy relationships, and consistent routines rather than conflict between parents. Whether families resolve parenting matters through divorce mediation, family mediation, or legal proceedings, the goal is to create a parenting plan that supports the child’s long-term well-being.
Parenting decisions in Kingston are guided by both federal and provincial family law legislation designed to protect children and encourage cooperative parenting after separation.
For separated parents, parenting time and decision-making responsibilities are generally governed by:
Both laws focus on the best interests of the child and require that decisions relating to parenting be made based on the child’s needs and well-being, rather than the preferences or convenience of the parents.
Notably, both Acts:
Modern family law terminology now uses “parenting time” and “decision-making responsibility” instead of outdated terms like “custody” and “access.” Parents in Kingston are encouraged to focus on practical parenting solutions that support their children emotionally, socially, and academically after separation.
Parenting time refers to the periods when a child is in the care of a parent following separation. During parenting time, parents are responsible for the child’s daily routines, including school attendance, meals, transportation, extracurricular activities, and emotional support.
Decision-making responsibility refers to authority over major life decisions involving the child, such as:
Some families in Kingston share both parenting time and decision-making responsibilities equally, while others create arrangements based on work schedules, distance between homes, or the child’s unique needs.
Clear parenting arrangements often help reduce future misunderstandings and support healthier co-parenting relationships.
When determining parenting arrangements after separation, the primary consideration is always the child’s overall well-being. Parents, mediators, and courts in Kingston evaluate several important factors when creating parenting plans.
Children benefit from environments that provide emotional support, consistency, and security during periods of family transition.
Stable routines involving school, bedtime, meals, and activities help children adjust more successfully after separation.
Children generally benefit from ongoing and meaningful relationships with both parents whenever safe and appropriate.
Older or more mature children may have their views considered depending on their age, maturity, and circumstances.
Successful shared parenting arrangements often depend on the ability of parents to communicate respectfully and cooperate effectively.
A parenting plan that prioritizes these considerations is more likely to support long-term emotional stability and healthy development for children.
There is no universal parenting arrangement that works for every family in Kingston. Parenting schedules should reflect the practical realities and unique needs of both parents and children.
Children spend at least 40% of their time with each parent. Shared parenting may involve alternating weeks or rotating schedules such as 2-2-3 arrangements.
Children live primarily with one parent while spending scheduled parenting time with the other parent on weekends, holidays, or selected weekdays.
In some situations involving multiple children, siblings may primarily reside with different parents depending on their individual needs and preferences.
Each parenting arrangement has different advantages depending on work schedules, school locations, communication levels, and the child’s age.
Many separated parents in Kingston use structured parenting schedules to create predictability and consistency for their children.
Here are a few commonly used parenting time arrangements:
➤ 2-2-3 Schedule
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
Week 1 | Parent A | Parent A | Parent B | Parent B | Parent A | Parent A | Parent A |
Week 2 | Parent B | Parent B | Parent A | Parent A | Parent B | Parent B | Parent B |
Week 3 | Parent A | Parent A | Parent B | Parent B | Parent A | Parent A | Parent A |
Week 4 | Parent B | Parent B | Parent A | Parent A | Parent B | Parent B | Parent B |
➤ 5-2 Schedule
OR
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
Week 1 | Parent B | Parent B | Parent A | Parent A | Parent B | Parent B | Parent B |
Week 2 | Parent B | Parent B | Parent A | Parent A | Parent A | Parent A | Parent A |
Week 3 | Parent B | Parent B | Parent A | Parent A | Parent B | Parent B | Parent B |
Week 4 | Parent B | Parent B | Parent A | Parent A | Parent A | Parent A | Parent A |
➤ 7-on/7-off (Alternating Weeks)
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
Week 1 | Parent B | Parent B | Parent B | Parent B | Parent B | Parent B | Parent B |
Week 2 | Parent A | Parent A | Parent A | Parent A | Parent A | Parent A | Parent A |
These example schedules can serve as a helpful starting point, but flexibility is key. What works today may need to evolve as the child grows and circumstances change. A successful parenting schedule supports the child’s routine while allowing both parents to remain actively involved.
A parenting agreement provides structure and clarity for separated families. Well-prepared parenting plans often reduce future disputes and support smoother co-parenting relationships.
Comprehensive parenting plans commonly include:
Families in Kingston often benefit from creating detailed parenting plans through family mediation because it encourages cooperation and child-focused decision-making.
Parenting after separation can be emotionally challenging, but cooperative planning can help children adjust successfully to new family dynamics. A well-designed parenting plan creates structure, stability, and predictability while helping both parents remain actively involved in their child’s life.
Through divorce mediation and family mediation, separated parents in Kingston can work together to create practical parenting arrangements that reduce conflict and support healthier communication moving forward.
By focusing on the child’s best interests, parents can build a positive co-parenting relationship that benefits the entire family long after separation.
Our divorce mediation are available to families throughout Kingston and surrounding communities, including:
We help separating parents create parenting plans, resolve parenting disputes, and develop child-focused co-parenting arrangements tailored to each family’s unique circumstances.
Our Kingston divorce mediation and family mediation services help parents create practical parenting plans that support children while reducing stress and conflict during separation.
🗓️ Schedule your free 30-minute joint consultation and learn how mediation can help your family move forward with clarity, cooperation, and confidence.
📞 Toll-Free: 888-779-8777
📧 connect@positivesolutions.ca
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“Changing the way couples separate in Ontario”
President and founder of Positive Solutions Divorce Services®
(416)-559-5527 | connect@positivesolutions.ca | positivesolutions.ca
The information provided in our blogs and throughout our website is intended for general educational purposes, offering insights into separation and divorce processes in Kingston and throughout Ontario. While we make every effort to ensure our content is accurate and current, it should not be considered legal advice. Although we can provide legal information to help you understand the divorce process, we recommend consulting with a qualified family law lawyer to obtain legal advice specific to your situation.
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Throughout the mediation process, we encourage open communication and creative problem-solving, often uncovering mutually beneficial solutions. Our goal is to help you create a separation agreement that provides clarity and stability during this transitional period, while also being flexible enough to adapt to future changes.
By choosing our mediation services for your separation agreement, you can often achieve a more personalized and comprehensive document than one created through traditional legal channels, potentially saving time, reducing costs, and laying the groundwork for a more amicable post-separation relationship.
A Separation Agreement is a legally binding document that outlines how separating spouses will divide parenting responsibilities, property, and finances after a relationship ends. At Positive Solutions Divorce Services®, we help couples create clear, enforceable Separation Agreements through mediation—without going to court.
Our trained mediators guide both partners through every topic that matters: parenting time, decision making, child support, spousal support, and property equalization. We offer a calm, structured environment where couples can resolve issues respectfully and affordably. Once decisions are made, we prepare a comprehensive agreement that can be reviewed by independent legal counsel and signed to become legally binding in Ontario.
*The information included in a Separation Agreement, or other applicable documents, is purely a guide and cannot substitute for a lawyer’s skill, knowledge, and careful drafting. These documents are simply reflective of the information received from you and are an administrative service only.
Positive Solutions Divorce Services® does not warrant and is not liable or responsible for ensuring the validity and/or enforceability of any Agreement or clause in an Agreement and remains your full and sole responsibility. Full financial disclosure is a crucial element in the preparation of any Agreement. It is also critical that you understand your rights and obligations under existing law.
In many circumstances, the Agreement will be addressing complex assets and issues, such as corporations, trusts, pensions, tax implications etc. In these cases, it is imperative that the actual relevant documentation be reviewed and that the expertise of an accountant or specialist in the subject area be consulted to ensure that the Agreement properly addresses these complex assets and issues. It is strongly recommended that you retain Independent Legal Advice before signing any documentation arising out of the end of your marriage or common law relationship.