As a kid, you would count down the days until summer officially started. And the minute school ended, you felt free to explore and embrace all the possibilities that summer offers. Unfortunately, it changes when you become an adult.
Summer seems just like another season for most parents, but it’s a challenging season specifically for divorced parents. You have to maintain your normal life while your child enjoys their summer vacation.
Five tips for co-parenting during summer
To maintain that balance, you need to reevaluate your co-parenting strategy with your former spouse. Luckily, there are a few tips that will make your summer enjoyable for everyone:
- Establish vacations early on – summer is a great season for travel, but vacations are complicated after a divorce. To avoid problems, create a plan for any holidays early on with your co-parent and adjust the custody schedule if necessary.
- Communicate often – whether it’s with your children or your co-parent, communication is necessary to ensure smooth sailing during the summer months. Try to communicate any changes or plans with your co-parent and kids. It helps keep everyone on the same page.
- Share costs – summer is an excellent time for kids to explore and participate in new activities. But those activities usually cost money. Make sure you and your co-parent share the costs of camps, programs or other activities for your child. You can even make a payment plan if necessary.
- Avoid competing with your ex – it’s easy to try to one-up your co-parent during the summer months between vacations and fun outdoor activities. The competition will only end in heartache as it creates animosity between the parents and tension among the kids.
- Stay flexible – most parents benefit from flexible schedules all the time, but summer often brings unexpected opportunities for children and adults. While it’s critical to establish specific plans, make sure to stay open to any surprises. It makes the season more enjoyable for you and your kids.
Summer doesn’t have to be only for kids; parents can enjoy the extra time with their children and embrace the warm weather that comes in Ohio’s summers. All you need to do is prepare yourself with the right co-parenting strategy, and you’ll be ready to hit the pool or the road with your whole family.