How to Adjust Co-Parenting for the Summer Months
Now that summer has arrived and children are out of school, it is often the time when divorced or unmarried parents need to adjust how they co-parent. Since the child’s schedule has changed, it is often critical for parents to change their schedules as well, which may also include changing how they share custody and what their routines with their child are. In order to avoid any arguments regarding co-parenting, here are some tips to help you adjust your schedules and your co-parenting plan for the summer months.
Go Over the Parenting Agreement
Before coming up with any grand plans for the summer, make sure to take some time to review your parenting agreement – there may be a summer plan in that agreement that was forgotten about. If the agreement does not include a summertime schedule, now is a great time to sit down together and come up with a plan that works for both parties and, of course, for the child. Make sure to work out a feasible schedule and also come up with the logistics of how the child will be transported between each parent’s homes, any daycare facilities he or she is enrolled in, and any other activities.
Use a Calendar
An easy way to help avoid any confusion or miscommunication between parents during the summer months is by using a physical calendar. Make sure each party has a copy of the calendar that includes which parent has the child and when, when the child is changing homes, and any special occasions or vacations that may be occurring during the summer months. If a hard-copy calendar isn’t quite your style, there are also a number of digital tools that can be used to set and share a calendar including Our Family Wizard, Google Calendar, 2Houses.com, and a number of other online tools.
Plan for Special Events
Summer is host to many holidays and special events including the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day. Should the agreed upon parenting plan not have a designation for these holidays, make sure to address the plan together and in ample time before the holiday. If issues arise and you are unable to resolve the issues on your own, do not hesitate to contact a family lawyer or a mediator to help you and the other party come to a resolution. It is important to keep in mind that the most important party in this agreement is the child, and spending time with and bonding with that child is the most important thing.
