Determining a Parenting Plan for Summer

When it comes to maximizing your parenting plan, it pays to plan ahead. Yes, we’re just heading into winter, but summer is coming, and if you haven’t hammered out a parenting plan when the time arrives, you could be left out in the cold. Once you know your vacation schedule and your plans for your children’s summer activities have gelled, it’s time to think about your parenting time for the summer. The more time you give your children’s other parent to take things into consideration, the more amenable to cooperating he or she might be. The most important step you can take in protection of your parental rights (in relation to your summer parenting plan) is consulting with an experienced Minnesota child custody attorney. 

Alternative Summer Parenting Time Schedule

Child custody concerns in Minnesota are often complicated. One factor the courts encourage divorcing parents (and parents facing child custody concerns outside of divorce) to address is alternative summer parenting time schedules. There are a variety of important reasons for doing so, including:

• Your children’s activities and schedules are likely to change in the summer months. 
• You and/or your children’s other parent may have more or less spare time to spend with your children during the summer months.
• If one of you has less parenting time with your children during the school year, summer break can be a good opportunity to help even things out.  
• The specifics of your parenting time plan, such as pickup and drop-off times and/or locations, may change during the summer months. 
• Your childcare arrangements may change in the summer months. 

Considering Your Summer

The best way to address your summer head-on is by gathering all the relevant information related to your summer plans (and your ex’s if he or she is willing to participate) to help ensure that you have everything you need to make important scheduling decisions in one place. Factors to consider include:

• How your scheduled parenting time exchanges are currently set up
• You and your ex’s summer work schedules (if one of you is a teacher, for example, it can make a significant difference in your scheduling)
• Any family gatherings or reunions you have planned
• Your vacation time
• Any sleepaway camps your children plan to attend
• Any summer school or tutoring you have planned for your children
• Your summer childcare arrangements
• Any scheduled doctor and/or dentist appointments 
• Any major changes that may take place, such as if one of your children will obtain his or her driver’s license and/or potentially take on a summer job of his or her own 

In other words, there is likely some serious scheduling to take on in terms of your parenting plan for summer. 

It’s Time to Consult with an Experienced Minnesota Child Custody Attorney

The accomplished Minnesota child custody attorneys at Atticus Family Law dedicate their practice to helping clients like you resolve their pressing parenting time concerns, and we’re here for you too. To learn more, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.