Another problem is that childcare responsibilities may still fall more on mothers or female relatives. Davies shows that even when children spend time in both homes, mothers and grandmothers often continue doing much of the everyday care, such as cooking, school routines, and taking care of several children at once. This can place extra pressure on one parent and make the idea of “equal parenting” less equal in practice (Davies 10-12).

How to overcome adversity?

One solution is to think of post-divorce parenting as shared care, not only shared parenting. This means parents should look at the whole support system around the child, not just the two biological parents. Davies argues that families should consider who is actually helping with childcare, including grandparents, step-parents, siblings, and other relatives. This can help parents make more realistic decisions about what the child needs and who can provide support (Davies 11).

Another solution is for parents to focus on the child’s real daily experience instead of only trying to divide time equally. A shared care plan should include practical needs, such as where the child will live, who will help with transportation, who can provide emotional support, and whether both homes have enough space and resources. Davies suggests that shared care works better when families have enough support and when parents, mediators, or courts consider the child’s full family network before making decisions (Davies 12-13).