Spring break can be an especially hectic time for separated or divorced families. Even in the best situations, juggling children, schedules, and different vacation plans between two different households can be a challenge. Waiting till the last possible minute to put together plans makes an already challenging situation much worse. Taking a few steps ahead of time can help make managing the week a much easier process.
The first thing to do to make spring break easier on everyone is to begin thinking about it when you are drawing up a parenting plan. Though vacation planning may not be the first thing on your mind, it’s important to address the subject rather than leave it to be decided later. It’s far better to get the kinks worked out early on rather than spend years arguing over minor details. For instance, should vacations start when a child gets out of school on a Friday or is it better to wait till the following Monday? Are holidays like spring break listed as special occasions or do they follow the normal weekly parenting schedule? There’s no right or wrong answer to any of these questions, merely subjects that need to be discussed to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Preparing in advance is critical, whether spring break is covered in your parenting plan or not. Parents should try and discuss this issue months in advance, clarifying who will have the kids and when. That way you can avoid overlapping vacations, which can lead to fights and confusion among the kids. Planning things out in advance not only makes the process easier for you, but also provides stability for your children who can count on a certain schedule and not have to worry about last minute upheaval.
Finally, reaching a verbal agreement with your former spouse is great, but the most important step in finalizing plans is to write it all down. Having a Court Order is the best possible resolution, but at a minimum, create a document, even if very simple, that lays out your agreement for that week. This will ensure that both of you are on the same page and it will also help with remembering details. If one parent later tries to change things around, you have a clear outline of what was agreed to, which may assist you in resolving the issue later.
While emergencies can always happen that might throw off even the best laid plans, it is important to remember that emergencies and last minute planning should be the exception, not the rule. Taking time to work with an experienced family law attorney to construct a custody schedule that works for you is a crucial part of any divorce and helps avoid a lot of headaches down the road.
Source: “Planning for spring break,” published at OurFamilyWizard.com.