Now that the school year is over, it’s time for parents to shift to summer plans. This isn’t always easy, partly because everyone becomes so accustomed to having a school schedule firmly in place.
Even if your child is already enjoying their summer, there are a few things to consider if you’re co-parenting with your ex this summer.
#1: Schedule changes
Transitioning to a summer schedule will take some adjusting. For parents of younger children, this generally means ensuring that childcare is in place as needed. For those with older children, there might not be a need for a childcare but knowing the parenting time schedule is still important. Going over the parenting time schedule for the summer as a family can be helpful.
#2: Vacation schedules
Vacation schedules should be as detailed as possible. Both parents should know these dates, particularly if their parenting time schedule has to change. Another important part of the vacation plan is determining how communication between your ex and your children will happen. You’ll also have to determine if you need the child’s passport and other required documents for international travel, if applicable.
#3: Camps and activities
Children are sometimes enrolled in summer camps or other activities, so both parents need to know the schedule to ensure that their children are brought on time. Another consideration regarding these is determining who handles registration, transportation, equipment and payment.
Getting any modifications to your parenting plan in place as soon as they may be necessary is advisable. Working with someone familiar with these matters is beneficial because this aspect of co-parenting can be complex.
