It is about time to get your summer plans onto the calendar. If you are divorced, divorcing or otherwise sharing custody with another parent, that means making sure you comply with your custody order. If you don’t yet have a custody order in place, now may be a good time to get one.
Beyond mere compliance with your custody order, it makes sense to take special care with your kids’ summers. With school out of session, there will be longer days to fill – days that will ideally be filled with sun and childhood magic. Day care can cover some of the day-to-day caregiving if you’re working, but both parents may need to take on some extra caregiving time.
That said, there can be more flexibility. Here are some options for summer custody sharing schedules:
Alternating weeks: Another option is to alternate weeks with each parent. This can provide a more balanced schedule for both parents and the children.
Extended periods of time: Each parent could have extended periods of time with the children, such as two weeks at a time. This is long enough to provide some consistency for the children and allow them to fully settle into a routine with each parent.
Splitting the summer: Some parents choose to split the summer into two or more parts, with each parent having a specific block of time with the children. This can allow for each parent to have quality time with the children without long periods of separation.
There’s no limit on what you and your kids’ other parent can agree to, as long as it meets your needs and those of your children.
Be Sure to Clear Any Vacations or Special Events
Co-parenting means making important decisions about your children together. That means you do need to discuss any vacations you plan to take, even if you’re taking them when you have the kids. Also, occasions may arise that you would like to have the kids for even though the other parent is scheduled to have them. Try to accommodate your kids’ other parent where possible.
Ideally, a custody order has a method for resolving disputes that arise. If it does not, and you can’t come to an agreement with your ex, you may need to return to court for a modification of your custody order.
If you need legal support, be sure to work with a compassionate family lawyer who will go the extra mile to make sure your custody order works as well as possible for your family.
