Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start to the summer. For separated and divorced co-parents, this season often brings a chaotic custody shuffle between parents who are both working and trying to supervise their kids.
It can be challenging to meet and manage everyone’s expectations. Here are some tips for making the best summer custody choices.
Communicate your intentions
If you want to take the kids on vacation with you or to visit out-of-state extended family over the summer, don’t spring it on your co-parent at the last minute. Discuss your plans with them well ahead of time so that you don’t wind up on the hook for non-refundable plane tickets or hotel reservations.
Feel free to be creative
Custody agreements can be as rigid or as flexible as needed. For instance, if one parent lives far away, they may want to seek full summer custody to make up for all the time lost during the rest of the year.
Shift workers might want to get their children for those stretches of days when they are off. If you and your former spouse can communicate civilly, you can work together to ensure the kids are never left unsupervised.
When you can’t communicate
If the separation or divorce is too fresh, talking with one another could be painful or counterproductive. There are parenting apps you can use to solely address custody matters.
File your agreement with the court
While you may think that you and your co-parent don’t need to formalize your agreement, what happens if the relationship further deteriorates and you no longer get along? Protect your parental and custodial rights by filing the order with the proper family law court. Having legal guidance can help.