On behalf of Cooper & Tanis, P.C. posted in child custody on Friday, July 7, 2017.

Colorado fathers might be more likely to stay at home with their children than fathers in previous decades. They also spend more time with their children. In a 2015 survey conducted by Pew Research Center, fathers reported spending seven hours a week on child care. This was three times the amount reported by fathers in 1965. However, by comparison, mothers in 2015 still reported spending twice as much time on child care at 15 hours weekly.

Nearly as many fathers as mothers report that parenting is central to their identity at 57 and 58 percent respectively. More than half of mothers and fathers say they always find parenthood rewarding.

Fewer fathers are sole breadwinners than in the past. In 1970, in 47 percent of couples with children younger than 18 years of age, fathers were the only parent who worked outside the home. By 2015, that number had dropped to 27 percent. However, almost 60 percent of people surveyed said that it was best if one parent stayed home with the child. Nearly half said that parent should be the mother although 53 percent said the mother and father could be equally effective at stay-at-home parenting.

In a child custody case, one factor a judge will consider is which parent is the main caregiver. A parent who is involved in a custody battle might want to demonstrate a close relationship with the child by showing attendance at extracurricular activities, medical appointments and school meetings. However, it might also be possible for parents to negotiate a custody arrangement without going to court. Parents could agree to share custody, or the parents might agree on which of them should have primary physical custody.