Shared parenting is a decision parents can make that will improve their child's life after a divorce or separation (or when the parents have never been married to each other). U.S. courts acknowledge that having a stable, loving relationship with both biological parents provides the ideal environment in which a child can thrive. Because of this, family courts encourage and support parents in making the decision to participate equally in parenting minor children. Parents can choose to share responsibilities for child care equally even if one spouse has been granted full physical custody. Shared parenting requires a high level of cooperation and flexibility. It is often less structured than custody and visitation schedules that are imposed by the court. Such an arrangement allows parents to modify the specifics of their involvement over time as the needs of the child change. For example, an infant who is breastfeeding would need to spend more time with the biological mother but would later be old enough to receive equal care from each parent. This type of parenting is not suitable for high-conflict relationships or those in which one parent has a history of being abusive.