Primary Carer vs Joint Carer in a family?
Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2026 1:31 am
As the child's mother, I myself am considered by social worker/guardian as the suitable primary carer.
The father (husband) has strong cognitive abilities and no mental issues etc, but his assessment says he is weak in empathy and emotional attunement, and so is not recommended to be the child's primary carer. At the same time, it also says he has many positive parenting traits and should have a significant involvement in the child's life. He has been recommended to a class related to child's emotional wellbeing and developments.
We are temporarily and physically separated until these care proceedings end, and have no intention of divorce etc. We are both looking to get back and live together to co-parent the child like before. The child clearly loves us both very much.
I wonder what does it mean or lead to?
What does primary carer mean exactly? Given the assessment, it is clear that he cannot care for the child as the sole carer (ie father and child only living together), but can he move back home and co-parent with myself (just like any typical co-working families)? Can we jointly care for the child together?
The father (husband) has strong cognitive abilities and no mental issues etc, but his assessment says he is weak in empathy and emotional attunement, and so is not recommended to be the child's primary carer. At the same time, it also says he has many positive parenting traits and should have a significant involvement in the child's life. He has been recommended to a class related to child's emotional wellbeing and developments.
We are temporarily and physically separated until these care proceedings end, and have no intention of divorce etc. We are both looking to get back and live together to co-parent the child like before. The child clearly loves us both very much.
I wonder what does it mean or lead to?
What does primary carer mean exactly? Given the assessment, it is clear that he cannot care for the child as the sole carer (ie father and child only living together), but can he move back home and co-parent with myself (just like any typical co-working families)? Can we jointly care for the child together?