Whether co-parents are establishing a Parenting Plan for the first time or revising their custody arrangement, Summer Break presents a unique set of circumstances. The school year provides parents and children with a more structured schedule, while in comparison, the summer months require additional forethought for childcare, vacations, and holidays, all of which should be accounted for in a child custody agreement. For more information on child custody, visit our website.
Here are a few elements our team at Digby Family Law encourages you to consider when creating or revising the summer portion of your Parenting Plan.
Co-Parenting Summer Plan Considerations
- Change in Schedules: During the school year, co-parents typically have a specific schedule that aligns with the times that a child is in school. During summer, it is often necessary to adjust a Parenting Plan to accommodate summer activities. Because of this, we encourage parents to review the summer portion of their Parenting Plan well ahead of time as it may vary greatly from the school schedule they are used to. If there are particular activities or camps your child attends each year, we recommend incorporating these activities and important dates into your Parenting Plan.
- Child Care & Summer Camps: Camps can be an engaging option for childcare over the summer, but it is important to note that enrollment for camps and classes in Nashville often begins in December or January. Co-parents should arrange responsibilities for enrollment and payment in their Parenting Plan, especially if there is a particular camp or activity that they wish for their child to participate in. You may also need to plan ahead for periods between summer camps in which additional childcare may be needed to complement your work schedule.
Planning For Summer Holidays & Vacations
- Holidays: Summer vacations are ripe with holidays, birthdays, family gatherings, and celebrations. If there is a particular holiday or event that is important to you and your family and you wish for your child to attend, it is essential to address these dates when determining a Parenting Plan.
- Vacations: If a parent plans to take extended vacations with a child, the Parenting Plan needs to determine the number of consecutive days or weeks that each parent has with the child. If you are planning to travel outside of the country, you should also make sure that you have access to your child’s passport. This can be addressed in the Parenting Plan to minimize issues with travel in the future. Vacations can be a fun bonding experience for you and your child, and to make them as smooth as possible, it is paramount to notify your co-parent of your travel plans well in advance.
At Digby Family Law, we are committed to helping families make arrangements that allow them and their children to thrive. Our team is knowledgeable and attentive, and we use our expertise to aid you through difficult life changes with care. We can be contacted by phone at (615) 997-3741 or via our website for a consultation today.