Putting the kids first

New Zealand couples who are separating may avoid contested care of children if they can negotiate and maintain parenting arrangements themselves. This report shows how some couples have set aside their personal and relationship issues and put their kids first.

A growing number of New Zealand children are affected by their parents’ separation. This report identifies how some couples achieved successful post-separation childcare arrangements, and what factors contributed to their ability to put their children’s interests first.

The report examines:

• the pathways used by separated parents to decide arrangements for their children
• the frequency, amount and type of contact
• how well these arrangements work
• how and why arrangements change over time.

The findings will help the Families Commission, policymakers, and service providers to better understand the needs of separated parents.

The study also may be valuable to parents who are separating, to show some real-life examples of what others have done to negotiate care of their children.

This report was prepared by Jeremy Robertson, Jan Pryor and Janine Moss.