How to Approach Summer as a Divorced Parent

Reviewed and approved by Kathryn Wayne-Spindler

Summer is here and the kids cannot wait for endless pool days and summer nights. Although the kids are excited, summer can often be a very tough time for divorced parents. Without school in session, parents are required to entertain their children or find a caretaker for them. These tasks can be especially hard for divorced parents. Check out the ideas listed below so that you can be prepared for this summer break.

1. Start planning well in advance. It is never to late but the earlier the better.

Planning well in advance can save you from a lot of stress and arguing overall. You can start planning your summer parenting time schedule in a divorce mediation so that you are in an agreement with your co-parent before the issue arises.

2. Consider what your summer schedule will be compared to your school year schedule

It can be extremely hard to mirror the summer schedule with the school schedule. Finding entertainment or adequate care for your children in the summertime can be hard when you are a divorced parent. Some tips you can follow are…

• Try to find summer camps that provide before and after care so that you can maintain your work hours.
• Communicate with your co-parent to talk about what camps the children will attend and how they will be paid for.
• Make sure your planned camps or activities do not interfere with the other parent’s parenting time.
• Ask the children for their input!

3. Include a summer vacation clause in your paperwork

Some divorced parents choose to develop a summer vacation clause, and it has proven to be beneficial. These clauses can consist of something such as “each parent is allotted 10 days of vacation during summer break outside of the state we reside in, so long as notice is given 30 days prior.” This can help to reduce timing conflicts between parents. It is important to remember that if you want your ex-spouse to accept and be positive about your vacation and parenting time, you must also do the same for theirs. Stay positive and accepting, even if it is simply for the children’s sake.

4. Stay calm and try to keep conflict at bay

Even though the relationship between you and your ex-spouse may be rocky, it is important to maintain civility between the two of you for the children’s sake. Having a healthy co-parenting relationship does not only make things easier on the parents, but also the children. One way to keep conflict at bay is to tell the other spouse about any trips that are planned so that they feel in the loop and so the children feel like they can openly talk about anything with either parent. It is not healthy for one parent to tell a child not to tell the other parent something, this can cause distrust and a closed relationship. It may be hard to hear about some things that the child is doing with the other parent, but open communication is key to a positive co-parenting relationship.

Check out another one of our blog posts on how  Summertime Custody Considerations Should Include Best Interests Factors

The attorneys at Kathryn Wayne-Spindler & Associates are experienced attorneys who change with the times to meet the needs of their clients. Contact the Milford, Michigan law office of Kathryn Wayne-Spindler & Associates at 248-676-1000 for assistance. The attorneys of Kathryn Wayne-Spindler & Associates practice law throughout Southeastern Michigan including Oakland, Wayne, Washtenaw, Genesee and Livingston counties as well as four mid-Michigan counties Clare, Gladwin, Ogemaw and Roscommon. The attorneys manage cases in Milford; Highland; Hartland; White Lake; Wixom; Commerce; Walled Lake; Waterford; West Bloomfield; Linden; Fenton; Flint; Grand Blanc; Holly; South Lyon; New Hudson; Howell; Clare; Gladwin; Houghton Lake; Higgins Lake; and more Michigan communities. Soon to be opening another office in Dadeville, Alabama.

For more information, please see article 5 Fantastic Summer Break Tips for Divorced Parents