When adults share child care, the work is easier to coordinate when responsibilities are visible. UNICEF features Agyemang Baffour in Ghana, who supports his daughter as she balances work, education, and parenting. [1] The planning questions here are general and do not describe the family’s private routines or views.
Name the tasks before dividing them
Start by listing the recurring tasks that need an adult’s attention: transportation, meals, school communication, appointments, supplies, and the practical transitions between care periods. The list should reflect the household’s real needs rather than an idealized schedule. Then identify which tasks happen daily, weekly, or only when something changes.
A task is not fully assigned if everyone assumes someone else will do it. For each item, decide who is responsible, what information they need, and how they will let others know it is complete or has changed. If one adult cannot take a task, agree on a backup before the need arises.
Match responsibilities to availability
Work, education, travel, and other commitments affect when adults can provide care. Share availability in a format everyone can check, such as a calendar or a written weekly plan. Mark handover times and identify who is responsible for the child at each transition. If plans shift, contact the next caregiver directly and confirm the update was received.
Fairness does not always mean each adult does the same task or the same number of tasks. It means that the division is understood, workable, and open to review. Ask whether one person is carrying repeated coordination work that is not visible on the schedule, such as tracking messages or remembering supplies.
Keep child-related information flowing
Adults should pass important information directly to one another, so a child is not the messenger for appointments or schedule changes. Use a brief, clear update: what changed, when it takes effect, and who is handling the next step. If the information concerns the child’s preferences or feelings, listen to what the child says and share it respectfully with the adults who need to know.
UNICEF’s communication guidance emphasizes clear language, active listening, and attention to both words and nonverbal communication. [2] In a shared-care setting, those ideas can help adults hear a child’s concern without turning it into a debate between caregivers. Keep adult disagreements focused on the plan and away from personal criticism.
Review the plan without blame
A division of care can become outdated when work hours, schooling, or family availability changes. Set a time to review the plan and ask what was missed, what was duplicated, and what needs a new owner. Describe the task and its effect rather than labeling a person. A concrete issue—such as an unshared pickup change—is easier to address than a general accusation.
UNICEF advises adults communicating with children to use understandable language, listen actively, and focus criticism on behavior rather than the child as a person. [2] For adult coordination, the same practical discipline is useful: state the action needed and the next step clearly.
References
Sources for the cited guidance and reported material. Worked examples and practical tools are original to Zolls.