As April winds down and we cruise on into May, one thing is for sure: Summer is just around the corner. For separated and divorcing parents, that can mean that the nightmare of summer custody scheduling is about to begin.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Read on for a more common-sense approach to your summer child custody issues.
Plan ahead
This is for everyone’s convenience, including the kids. Younger children need time to adjust to the idea of upcoming changes, and older kids may have camp, sports practices and game or even a summer job to fit into the custody schedule.
Also, before making travel arrangements for you and your child this summer, make sure that your plans are covered in the custody agreement that’s in place or pending.
Consider compromising
If your soon-to-be ex-spouse requests some changes or extra parenting time so the kids can join them for the annual family reunion on the Cape, don’t deny them out of turn. If there are no glaring safety or other issues that would preclude the children from attending, you could be banking goodwill with your soon-to-be ex-spouse. You never know when you might want some leeway on the arrangements.
Keep the kids’ interests foremost
Remember that children both need and deserve quality time with both parents. Unless there are serious mental health issues or substance abuse problems, make sure that you don’t impede the children’s relationship with your co-parent.
It can be hard to wave goodbye to your offspring as they head off into the sunset with your ex. If you are truly convinced that your kids are unsafe with their other parent, you may need to return to court to modify your custody agreement.
