How will we share custody of our children over the summer?

 Posted on April 01, 2022 in Child Custody

As the weather starts to change, parents and children alike begin thinking about summer. Whether your children enjoy time outside or long days of relaxing at home, for many children, it is a time to rest before the start of another school year.

However, if you are still learning the ropes of sharing custody of your children, summer approaching can feel like a new challenge to navigate. Just when you and your ex got into a comfortable pattern for the school year, it may be time to change your schedule.

Here’s what you should know about how summer break could impact your child custody arrangement.

Agreeing to agree

Depending on the circumstances surrounding your divorce, adjusting your parenting time for the summer could be fairly simple. Typically, courts allow parents to make the adjustments they need when they both agree and as long as the arrangement is still relatively fair. You will also want to consult your parenting plan since it may already include how you should handle summer break.

Changes can be complex

When you and your spouse disagree on how to make changes to your children’s summer schedule, there can be challenges. While splitting your time one way during the school year may have made sense, one parent may want to find balance by having more time with the children over the summer.

Creating a fair parenting schedule for your children may require both of you to look at making the bigger picture fair rather than looking at inequalities in the short term. You may want to consider balancing factors such as:

• Planned vacations
• Summer camps
• Sports and activities
• Travel time from one parent to the other

If you cannot agree and need support from the court, they will look at your children’s best interest and make a decision that supports them. Ultimately, you want your parenting plan to feel fair and balanced for both of you. When you create a plan that allows both parents to have time with the children, you can both have time to develop your relationships with your kids.