The majority of parenting plans outline how to handle time-share during the summer months. However, even when a set schedule is in place, conflicts may arise for a variety of reasons such as when:
- one spouse wishes to take an out-of-state vacation
- a parent’s work schedule does not align with his or her designated times with the children.
It is important to avoid subjecting children to unnecessary conflict associated with adjusting the parenting plan so it may be best for parents to keep an open mind and work together so that summer vacation runs seamlessly for everyone.
To help with the process of arranging time-share during the summer months, here are some helpful tips.
Plan Vacations Well in Advance
It is essential to plan your vacation, set a schedule and stick to that itinerary especially if your planned vacation digs into your ex’s time with your child. If you fail to establish vacation time and agree to certain terms, you risk upsetting everyone’s summer and returning to court due to time-share.
Reaching an agreement that pleases everyone may not be an issue for parents committed to successfully co-parenting. However, for parents struggling to keep things amicable, agreeing to summer vacations can be a real challenge. If you are in such a challenging situation such as this, it can be beneficial to sit down with your ex to create a summer vacation schedule that can be signed and enforceable.
If needed, you and your spouse can seek assistance from a family law lawyer or mediator who can help make the necessary arrangements to set the summer vacation schedule so all parties are clear on when and where the kids will be throughout the summer.
Practice Open Communication
Communicate With Each Other to Successfully Co-Parent
Open and clear communication can be essential to successful co-parenting so if you and your spouse are on decent terms, be sure to communicate directly with one another when scheduling issues arise. It is vital to refrain from using children as messengers so make sure all planning and scheduling concerns stay among adults.
Encourage Children to Maintain Communication With Their Other Parent
When it comes to communication, it is also important that parents with custody consider the other parent and allow their child to communicate with them while on vacation.
Always Consider Your Child’s Feelings Emotions
For kids, a summer vacation arrangement may be a huge change especially if the child will be staying in a new environment, spending significantly less time with one parent or is subjected to meeting new people. It is helpful to identify the emotional impact this can have on children so that you, as a parent, can help them through this difficult time.
Talking to your child and explaining to him or her that the emotions he or she is feeling are valid can contribute to the child maintaining emotional stability. An important note to parents here is to acknowledge the fact that children may drastically miss their other parent. Missing the parent they are apart from is a normal feeling for a child and should not be taken personally.
If you live in the Fresno area and are having issues resolving parenting plan disputes,