1. Plan Your Summer Parenting Time in Advance 

In most parenting plans there is a specific change in parenting time for Summer.  That may be a different daily schedule all together, or it may be the option to secure Summer vacation time above and beyond your normal daily schedule.  Make sure to carefully review your parenting plan for any dates and deadlines.  Don’t wait until the last minute to schedule summer parenting time! Especially since both parents are likely working to plan around vacations, summer camps, sports, clubs, and more. 

 2. Be Prepared for Changes to Your Usual Schedule 

You should pay close attention to what is detailed in your parenting plan regarding Summer parenting time.  All parenting plans contemplate Summer parenting time, whether you’re maintaining the regular day-to-day schedule, or changing up.  In fact it is very common for parents to equally share parenting time throughout the Summer on a week-on, week-off rotation.  If you have any questions about your Summer parenting time, it’s important to review your parenting plan and ask for clarification to ensure that you are following the Order correctly and that you are maximizing the time available to you. 

 3. Get Any Changes in Writing 

Despite the best-planned agreements between parents, things will happen and schedules will change. We always advise parents to keep an open and cordial line of communication so that they can both work together when they need to adjust their parenting time schedule. However, be sure to get any agreed upon changes in writing. If you don’t the other parent could claim that you aren’t adhering to the signed parenting plan and they can use this against you. Protecting yourself could be as simple as texting or emailing the plan when you need to change your schedule. If changes are made via phone call, just send a follow up text thanking them for making accommodations and reiterating the change in writing. This way, both parties have a clear record to review as to the specific change(s) they agreed to. 

4. Have Communication Options Available While Traveling 

 When your child is in your care they should obviously be able to speak to their other parent. This includes vacation time as well.  If your parenting plan contains communication provisions (i.e. a daily call or twice-a-week Facetime, etc) those provisions still apply when you are traveling.  So, make sure you’re accommodating these communications, as you will expect your co-parent to do the same when they are traveling! 

 5. Match Your Vacation Schedule to Your Holiday Schedule 

Many parenting plans outline a process for each parent to plan summer vacations with their child. Your plan may specify which parent is able to select their vacation dates first or specify that both parents need to have their vacations on the schedule before a certain deadline. As you plan though, be careful not interfere with any holiday parenting time schedule. Most families alternate major holidays, so if this is the other parent’s year to have Fourth of July, you shouldn’t schedule your vacation on or too close to that holiday, as the holiday time would cut into your vacation time.  

 If you’re new to co-parenting, navigating these changes in your routine schedule can feel overwhelming, especially when you consider coordinating, extracurricular activities, plans with friends, family vacations, summer camps, and more. That’s why the attorneys at Oxendine Law take extra time to ensure every little detail of the parenting plan is correct, but also that you understand it in full.