If you are a parent who shares custody, summer break may challenge you. In the midst of readjusting visitation schedules and trying to provide your child with a great summer, you may wonder how you can balance everything.
Here are some tips to help you navigate co-parenting during the summer months and transition back into the school year.
Form vacation itineraries and communicate while traveling
You and the other parent may want to take your child on a trip during the break. If so, openly communicate with the other parent about your vacation plans. Consider sending an itinerary and a way to contact your child.
Courts typically require that your child have free access to contact both parents at any given time. To keep from interfering with vacation plans, you could minimize contact with your child to a brief daily phone call, or schedule a time for a video visit at some point during the trip.
Get any changes in writing
Even if you planned your summer custody arrangements ahead of time, unexpected issues will pop up and schedules will change. A flight may be late, or your child may have the opportunity for a special event. Keep an open line of communication with the other parent so you can work together to adjust your custody schedule. When changes are unavoidable, make sure you get it in writing. This can be as simple as sending a text or email rather than having a phone call.
Adjust your plans for the coming school year
Summer is a good time to work with the other parent to tweak your parenting plan for the fall. To adjust your child’s school year schedules, you may return to previous agreements, if they still apply. If you did not make many changes for summertime, then you might not have to do much. Always remember to consider your child’s activities and school breaks or holidays.