Glossary
Clearer words for the plan in front of you.
Short explanations of common parenting and scheduling terms, with the practical questions to check next.
Read the term in its context
A legal label, a tax definition, and a calendar entry may describe different things. Start with the relevant document and the resources for your jurisdiction. These guides explain distinctions and point to official references; an app setting does not determine anyone’s legal rights.
Find a guide
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Co-parenting
Co-parenting describes how adults share the work of raising a child. The practical questions are often small: who is collecting, what changed, and what needs a response.
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Parallel parenting
The term is often used for an arrangement with less direct contact between parents and more detail written into the plan.
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Co-parenting and parallel parenting
These terms describe approaches to coordination. They do not tell you, by themselves, what schedule or legal responsibilities your family has.
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Joint custody
When you see “joint custody,” check whether the document means decision-making, where the child lives, or both.
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Joint legal custody
This is a decision-making term. Look closely at which decisions the agreement or order covers and how the parents must handle them.
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Joint physical custody
This term concerns where a child lives. To understand the week ahead, read the actual schedule rather than guessing from the label.
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Sole custody
Before acting on the phrase “sole custody,” check which type of custody the document means and what it says about parenting time.
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Custodial parent
The meaning of this label depends on the document and the purpose. Check the context before using it to make a scheduling or tax decision.
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Parenting plan
A parenting plan puts important arrangements into words. A useful calendar then makes the day-to-day dates easy to follow.
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Parenting time percentage
A percentage is only useful when everyone knows the date range and what was counted.
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Visitation and parenting time
These words can refer to time spent with a child. The relevant document’s details matter more than choosing one label for your calendar.
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The handoff between care periods
A handoff is the point when one person’s care ends and another’s begins. A clear time and place make it easier to carry out.
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Right of first refusal for childcare
If this phrase appears in your parenting arrangement, read when it applies, how to make an offer, and how long the other person has to respond.
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Nesting arrangement
In nesting, the children remain in one home while the adults rotate in and out. It describes housing, not a particular time split.
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The step-parent’s role in daily planning
Be specific about the practical help, the information to share, and who is responsible for each decision.
Turn an agreed schedule into dates you can both follow. Explore schedule examples