Summer vacations are great times for parents and children alike to relax and make happy memories. For divorced parents, however, planning summer vacations can be a stressful matter of logistics as they try to arrange their time around a parenting plan. By following some useful tips, parents can better co-parent during the summer vacation season.
Every parenting plan is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution for coordinating summer vacations around child custody arrangements. Still, here are some tips many divorced parents may find helpful:
- Double check the child custody arrangement: It is helpful for parents to begin by understanding what their child custody arrangement says.
- Plan in advance: Co-parenting can be most successful when parents and families plan in advance as last-minute planning is seldom helpful in these situations.
- Consider work schedules: It is helpful to take into account work schedules and for parents to be able to be as flexible and respectful of them as possible.
- Communicate in writing: It is a good idea for divorcing couples to communicate in writing as much as possible for a variety of reasons including managing emotions and for documentation purposes. It is also a good idea to get the plan in writing.
- Consider transitions: Transitions from one parent or one house to another can be challenging for parents and children so it is helpful to be thoughtful and considerate when planning these.
- Consider extended family: Whenever possible it is a good idea to consider extended family members.
- Communicate openly: Open and respectful communication can lead to fewer misunderstandings and expectations and plans everyone understands.
Have a backup plan
Perhaps the two most important tips are to always make the children the top priority and to always have a backup plan. Oftentimes situations in life do not go according to plan and it is important to be able to be flexible when needed and to always consider what is best for the children first and foremost.
Sharing custody and managing schedules can be a major challenge following any divorce. Family law resources can help parents, children and families with transitions and as their lives and family evolves in the years following the divorce.
