Parenting Plan Idea Workbook

by Lisa I. Wilson, Gretchen Baskerville

"WHAT SHOULD I ASK FOR IN MY PARENTING PLAN OR CHILD CUSTODY AGREEMENT?"

Divorce or changing a custody agreement can be stressful and confusing. One small mistake or thing you forget to ask for could cause years of arguments, stress, and extra costs. Before you meet with your lawyer or mediator, make sure you’ve thought about all the important details — not just the big ones.

This simple, easy-to-use workbook will help you:

Learn the must-have talks you need to have about your child’s care and safety.

Avoid common mistakes many parents only notice after it’s too late.

Clearly share your wishes with your lawyer so they can fight for what’s best for you and your child.

You’ll also get expert tips, real-life examples, and ready-to-use parenting time calendars to help you make the best plan possible.

Don’t go into the meeting unprepared. Make sure your child’s future — and your peace of mind — are protected before you sign anything.

Authors:
Lisa Wilson, CDC®, Certified Divorce Coach and parenting plan coach.
Gretchen Baskerville, divorce recovery leader and author of The Life-Saving Divorce.

128 pages, Paperback

First published August 12, 2025

Reviews

[Bethanny Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This parenting plan agreement workbook is such a valuable tool for anyone navigating divorce and custody arrangements. I honestly wish I had this before my divorce—it would have saved so much stress and uncertainty. I really appreciated the level of detail it walks you through, like planning for transportation costs if a parent moves, or considering what happens if a child later decides they don’t want to live with one parent. It also covers practical challenges, like setting boundaries around sports and activities when kids are splitting time between two households. The layout is clear, organized, and designed to help parents think through issues they may not have even considered. It’s an excellent resource to bring to an attorney as a starting point for negotiations, showing exactly how you’d like your child to be cared for in the years to come.


I received a free advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Parenting Plan Idea Workbook is a great resource for helping you figure out what should be included in your parenting plan. You will no doubt come across areas and questions you wouldn’t have thought of, as well as various options in those areas, to think through. I’m very glad that right at the outset it is made clear that you do NOT share this workbook, your thoughts and answers with the other parent. That is so important! This is for YOU and your attorney to come up with your ideal plan, and what you can compromise in that. There are only a very few things that I found weren’t included, but every question has space for you to add other options. Not all will apply to your situation. And I’m very glad that somethings listed as “common” were not proposed or addressed in my case. I also add the caveat that sadly, even the best parenting plans can be violated with no repercussions. But you do the best you can to protect your children and their best interests. And this workbook will help you do that.

This workbook will help you work through this very important aspect of your divorce, when you’re going through it, when usually you are in an emotional state where you’re not at the height of your ability to think through and logistically come up with all these questions on your own, and all their nuances and options.

I was given an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going through a divorce is one of the worst things that can happen. It's a rollercoaster where you head into areas you know nothing about a lot of the time (legal documents, coercion, manipulation, pain). This workbook could be incredibly helpful for anyone but especially for those in a high-conflict situation. When I left an abusive marriage, I didn't know a thing about what a parenting plan even was! How could I protect my child going in blind? Now you don't have to. This book has step-by-step documentation of the important points to highlight and address that you are able to personalize for your situation. I was asked to read through an advance reader copy and found myself incredibly thankful that both Gretchen and Lisa saw this need and stepped into the space to fill it. A great resource for those going through a difficult experience.

[Tara Ebert]

The Parenting Plan Idea Workbook is an excellent resource containing common parenting plans while bringing in discussion of areas most commonly not discussed until after divorce. It allows ample space to fill out goals and ideas for multiple children and to see a phase out option for aging children. The workbook is neutral as to individual state laws yet specific to the common issues that arise when discussing co-parenting. Often families are making decisions quickly and blindly with attorneys, however, now a resource is available to plan a solid interim plan and move into a final plan with the courts. I highly recommend using this workbook whether you are newly divorced planning an interim plan or already divorced and considering modifying your existing plan. I highly suggest bringing it to mediation and sharing with your counsel.

[Geneva Mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This workbook is a valuable resource for anyone going through the process of creating a parenting plan. What I appreciate most is that it doesn’t just provide a checklist, it guides you to think deeply about what matters most for your children and for yourself as a parent.

There were sections that didn’t apply directly to my situation, but even then, they were thought-provoking and helped me consider possibilities I might not have thought about on my own. Other sections hit right at the heart offering practical guidance and clear steps.

I especially found the strategies around negotiation to be helpful. The workbook doesn't just focus on “winning” but on understanding how to advocate for what you need while keeping the best interests of the children front and center.

Overall, this workbook gave me a stronger sense of clarity and direction. I would highly recommend it to any parent who wants to feel more prepared, thoughtful, and grounded while building a parenting plan that truly works for their family.

[Sarah Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a comprehensive resource for all parents facing divorce. It is clear that the authors thought of everything that parents would face when putting together a co-parenting plan. I would have loved to of had something like this when I was writing my separation agreement. There are so many scenarios to address, that you can’t possibly think of them all, especially when going through one of the hardest crisis of life, and this workbook is the answer to not missing anything.

[Nicole Pope · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very comprehensive book to help guide you through the divorce process. It was very well thought out, I wish I had this when I was going through my divorce! I would highly recommend having this guide to walk you through the process of communication with your ex partner, and making sure that you have everything worked out with the mediator/lawyer before the process is complete. Great read!

[Beth G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This workbook is a valuable tool for those going through the trauma of divorce. While most people don't ever plan to divorce, this workbook helps to grasp legal terminology, introduces different options for co-parenting arrangements, and will be (in my opinion) very valuable during a time when simply surviving from day to day can feel like a challenge. The workbook is organized well and there is a good flow from topic to topic, which helps you feel like you're working through questions and making progress. It helps you identify your personal priorities and wishes, and gives clarity about which issues are most important to you.

For those who are going through a high-conflict split, it may not be possible to gain your soon-to-be-ex-spouse's cooperation in settling custody issues ahead of time. That's just the unfortunate truth. I still feel that the time and effort to complete this workbook would be a good investment, however, because it does help you think through possible scenarios and prepare yourself for court. You'll learn some of the topics that are likely to carry weight with the judge, and others — like allegations of abusive behavior, particularly toward minor children — that you should avoid during divorce proceedings unless you have irrefutable tangible proof (in which case you should turn over the evidence to police and allow them to handle the investigation and possible criminal prosecution anyway).

Will this workbook convince a particularly contentious ex to be a cooperative co-parent? Probably not. But there is no question that you'll be well-prepared for court or mediation, and educated in possible outcomes. I personally feel that almost any judge or mediator would be impressed with the level of preparation you'll demonstrate by completing the exercises in the workbook.

[I received an advance copy of the 'Parenting Plan Idea Workbook' in exchange for my honest review. I have not received money or any other consideration to give a positive review.]

[Vie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This workbook is really helpful and well written. It is specific enough to receive excellent advices about a broad set of topics and situation one would encounter during separation and divorce. And it is also general and leaves enough room to adapt to many different scenarios and can be used by people from different countries.

During the storm of the separation/divorce process, it will help keep one’s head clear and not too overwhelmed by everything that has to be adressed. I would have appreciated to have this workbook before filing for divorce to help me think about all the small details. I especially liked the mention about each child specificity and the « one size doesn’t fits all ». This workbook will guide you to note what makes each child unique and how they can react differently to the same situation.

Great tool!

[Elizabeth Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Parenting Plan Workbook proved to be an incredibly helpful and practical tool for developing a comprehensive, well-thought-out parenting plan. It walks you through a wide range of important topics that are often overlooked, helping ensure that no critical detail is missed.

What sets this workbook apart is its structured approach—it encourages both parents to think carefully about various aspects of co-parenting, from communication methods to holiday schedules, education, healthcare, and more. This resource offers thoughtful guidance and prompts that support constructive and child-focused decision-making.

I highly recommend for any parents navigating separation, divorce, or shared custody arrangements who want to create a balanced and complete parenting plan.

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have yet to use this but can tell by reading through it that it will be a valuable asset to anyone in need of this information. This workbook thoughtfully walks you through so many different topics that require consideration and planning in a time when emotions are high and calm thinking is difficult. It brings up many issues that you would not even know to think about and sets you up to successfully craft a plan that will serve you and your child well in the long term, not just for the immediate time being. You will need to plan to spend a decent amount of time and thought in order to go through the workbook. I only wish there was a section that dealt with children with neurodiversity or other similar challenges, as those issues present other problems. Although I received a free advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review, I definitely recommend!

[Esther Thatcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have so far read the Introduction and Parenting Plan Agreement Tips, and I found it straightforward and helpful already as I consider a possible future divorce and have a child caught in the middle. It was organized and clear, and I liked the emphasis on what is best for the child, as well as the added suggestion of getting a coparenting app, which I only recently discovered exists. I am hopeful that this book will help me prepare well and anticipate what the courts will expect. I received a free advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great workbook for those going through a divorce with a difficult party. You may not need everything in it or some things might not fit your situation however, it does bring up some items that you may not have considered until too late. Some of the items you might not think of in the moment but this book helps you plan for the long haul. I read through an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

[Sarah Raineri · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an overwhelmed mom with two special needs boys navigating divorce after being a full-time homeschooling mom & having to suddenly go back to college, get a job, move & sell the marital home, I find myself overwhelmed. Anything that can make this process easier and give me confidence, which provides me with peace, is invaluable. I thoroughly appreciated this book and would recommend it to anyone. I was given an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

[Katie Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very thorough overview of everything to consider when determining your parenting plan. This information is right inline with what my lawyer is recommending considering for a parenting plan. While it can seem dense and overwhelming, if taken section by section and giving yourself time to get through it, I think you will have much more confidence and clarity on what is best for you and your children.

I was given a complimentary advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Dena Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relying on your attorney’s parenting time template document can be a recipe for disaster, especially if you’re divorcing a partner who uses coercive control. Gretchen Baskerville and Lisa Wilson provide this comprehensive resource that will help you check off the boxes and minimize the crazy-making. Make sure you're familiar with your state's guidelines, too.

I received a free advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Kimberly D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the best summary I have found for outlining the essential needs of a parenting plan. I deeply appreciate the authors' attentiveness to details that are often overlooked. Most importantly, it recognizes that children’s needs and activities change over time, and a parenting plan must adapt with them. I was given an advanced reader copy in return for an honest review.

[Danielle Foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked how this workbook breaks the overwhelming stress of creating a parenting plan into sections. Lots of fill in the blanks and check marking for different options I’ve never even heard of or considered. I haven’t done the entire workbook yet so I’m not sure if it includes any advice or not, but it does help understand what the options are.

[P. Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like the simple layout of this workbook. It helps one navigate a difficult and emotional time with very straightforward questions to help parents put the needs of their children first in a divorce. I especially appreciated the section "Describing Your Children." This really helps to create an intentional focus on the needs of each individual child.

[Terry Cooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This step by step guide to help you come up with a parenting plan. The workbook is thorough and incredibly helpful. It give you a lot to think about and think through as you put your parenting plan together.

[Brenda Minica]

This book is extremely practical, useful and encouraging. I haven’t seen anything else like it and I am so thankful to have found it. Highly recommend!

[Sarah McDugal · Rating 5 out of 5]

For any parent working through the divorce process, who wants to ensure a stable plan for their children's wellbeing -- this workbook will be tremendously useful!