Experienced, Empathetic Advocacy In Family Law And Criminal Defense

How to handle summertime child custody issues

On Behalf of | Jun 21, 2016 | Child Custody

The official start of summer is just around the corner, but for many Texas families, summertime begins when school lets out and the kids are home throughout the week. For those who share kids based on a child custody arrangement, summer can offer a particular set of challenges. The following tips are offered in the hopes of giving parents a fresh perspective on summer time-sharing, and the ability to work together to make this summer one to remember.

Perhaps the best place to begin is with a reminder that kids only have a certain number of summer breaks that they will remember for the rest of their lives. Those summers should be filled with memories of fun in the sun and a break from the routines of the school year, and not with memories of additional strife between parents over scheduling matters. In order to achieve those goals, parents need to put forth a certain degree of cooperation.

Summer schedules are already hectic enough, without adding in strife between parents. This is not the time to insist upon rigid adherence to the regular custody schedule. There needs to be some consideration on both sides, so that the kids are allowed to participate in vacations and activities and are also properly supervised while parents are at work. For some families, there are added scheduling factors such as summer school, summer camp or extended visits with grandparents or other family members.

Texas parents should approach summer break with an attitude of collaboration. Parents can and should act as facilitators in the happiness and health of their shared kids. Making summer break memorable and rewarding for all involved is a part of that collaboration, and parents may have to work together to come up with creative child custody scheduling solutions to cover all of the bases during this busy time of year.

Source: The Huffington Post, “5 Tips to Prevent Discord While Sharing Custody of the Children Over the Summer“, Steve Mindel, June 7, 2016

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