The term overlaps with other areas, such as joint custody and co-parenting. There are even cases where shared parenting includes time spent with a biological parent and a stepparent.
Shared parenting happens when the parents enter into an agreement that allows both of them more or less equal time with the children. The parents share the routine care of the children, and have equal authority concerning their education, medical care, and physical caretaking (the actual day-to-day care of children).
One of the advantages to this arrangement is that children usually are spared the arguing and nastiness that can accompany divorce proceedings, and aren't deprived of one of their parents. Although the adults are no longer husband and wife, they remain the children's parents, which makes it exceptionally difficult for children if they have to deal with loyalty conflicts.
The plan of action often is something arranged by the biological parents before the divorce is final, or may come about after a ruling for joint custody is made, or a recommendation for liberal visitation rights. Each parent has a home, and the children spend the same amount of time at both places, with this continuing even after one or both biological parents remarry.
Although it is far from common, there are cases where the parents have a third home; the children live there all the time, and the biological parents take turns living in the home with them. The situation is ideal for the kids, as their lives suffer minimal disruption. It's safe to say, however, that it isn't a practical solution for most people! The exception to the equal time in each home occurs when one parent lives in another part of the country, meaning that school-age children can be there only during the summer unless they are being home-schooled.
The article Shared Parenting Reduces the Emotional Trauma of Divorce for Children points out that shared parenting gives both parents time with the children, cuts down the trauma that occurs when a child feels separated from a parent, and also offers both parents a chance to pursue further education or interests. The shared arrangement can help to avoid the serious negative effects on children that can result and last for years if the parents have battled in front of them.
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