The pre-exchange and exchange-day routine, on paper. Plus a kid-friendly bag-packing checklist for ages 6+.
Custody exchanges go badly when one or both parents are unprepared, rushed, or in a bad headspace. This checklist fixes the prep. The adult version walks you through night-before, morning-of, at-the-exchange, and after-the-exchange routines. The kid version helps your child pack their own bag (with parent supervision) and builds independence.
What's inside (2 pages):
Page 1 — Adult version:
- Night before: confirm time and place, pack bag, communicate in writing
- Morning of: brief positive talk about the other home, final check
- At the exchange: arrival timing, neutral handoff scripts, what to do if conflict starts
- After: log the exchange, decompress
Page 2 — Kid version (ages 6+):
- Friendly illustrated checklist your child can use
- Clothes section, important things, school items
- Big checkboxes, simple language
Why this matters:
- Calm, structured exchanges = less child stress = better for your case
- Child packing their own bag = independence + buy-in to the schedule
- A neutral handoff routine prevents the "casual conversation" that turns into argument
Designed for:
- Parents at the start of a new custody schedule (first exchanges set the tone)
- Co-parents trying to reduce conflict at exchanges
- Families with kids age 6+ ready to start packing for themselves
- Anyone whose exchange routine has been chaotic
What you get: Instant download, 2-page printable PDF (8.5 × 11), print and post on the fridge or laminate for the bag, lifetime access.
The pre-exchange and exchange-day routine, on paper. Plus a kid-friendly bag-packing checklist for ages 6+.
Custody exchanges go badly when one or both parents are unprepared, rushed, or in a bad headspace. This checklist fixes the prep. The adult version walks you through night-before, morning-of, at-the-exchange, and after-the-exchange routines. The kid version helps your child pack their own bag (with parent supervision) and builds independence.
What's inside (2 pages):
Page 1 — Adult version:
- Night before: confirm time and place, pack bag, communicate in writing
- Morning of: brief positive talk about the other home, final check
- At the exchange: arrival timing, neutral handoff scripts, what to do if conflict starts
- After: log the exchange, decompress
Page 2 — Kid version (ages 6+):
- Friendly illustrated checklist your child can use
- Clothes section, important things, school items
- Big checkboxes, simple language
Why this matters:
- Calm, structured exchanges = less child stress = better for your case
- Child packing their own bag = independence + buy-in to the schedule
- A neutral handoff routine prevents the "casual conversation" that turns into argument
Designed for:
- Parents at the start of a new custody schedule (first exchanges set the tone)
- Co-parents trying to reduce conflict at exchanges
- Families with kids age 6+ ready to start packing for themselves
- Anyone whose exchange routine has been chaotic
What you get: Instant download, 2-page printable PDF (8.5 × 11), print and post on the fridge or laminate for the bag, lifetime access.
