2022 is going by fast. Before you know it, the summer will be here and underway. Having free time to enjoy yourself with your children is rewarding and it is understandable that you want to get the most out of it. However, navigating this time with your co-parent can be challenging. That’s why The Law Office Of Yeazell And Sweet is here to provide tips for managing your summer visitation with your children.
Look Ahead
Before the kids get out of school, take some time to review your visitation or parenting plans. These will act as a guide for your summer break and planning, letting you know what you can potentially expect from your ex-spouse. If you notice anything that needs to be changed, you can communicate about this before the break arrives. This will help prevent any last-minute issues or changes that could potentially stress your children. Furthermore, if you feel as though court modification is necessary, you will need advanced notice.
Keep In Contact
As summer break approaches and begins, it will be important to keep regular contact with your ex-spouse. This will allow you to have consistent updates on your children while they are visiting. Furthermore, if you find yourself needing to make a change on your visitation schedule, it will not be outside of the norm to simply reach out to your co-parent. There are different ways you can maintain contact with your ex-spouse. For example, there are even mobile apps that allow you to integrate a calendar, with the capabilities of sharing other important information.
Stay Prepared
With your children traveling more frequently, it will be crucial to stay prepared. Have a bag packed and ready for their trips well in advance, so they don’t feel rushed or stressed about the process. Have a list prepared with all of the necessary items for a successful trip. This includes any medications that your child may need, glasses, books, activities, and weather-appropriate clothing. Let your children select items that will bring them comfort on their trips. This will help ease them into the transitions they will be making.
Communicate With Your Kids
Having regular conversations with your children about visitation will also help them through the process. Give them status updates and notify them when changes will occur. Keeping your children in the dark about what is happening could have negative effects on your relationship with them, as well as encourage feelings of stress and anxiety. By having an open dialogue with your children, you can both look forward to summer visitation. One way to accomplish this is by having regularly scheduled talks or family meetings to keep everyone on the same page.
Coming Up With Ideas
When your children are spending time with you, you may want to consider the activities that you want to do as a family. Think about the things that you all enjoy doing and create a potential list for your children to select from. You could also tailor your plans to their specific hobbies, asking them what they would like to do while you have time together. Involving your children in the planning process will keep them excited and looking forward to visitation. Some ideas that might get your children excited are taking them to zoos, theme parks, or museums.
Sometimes Problems Occur
Summer visitation doesn’t always go perfectly. Sometimes issues can arise when co-parenting is involved. When problems arise that cannot be resolved through communication, it might be necessary to seek legal advice and guidance. The team at The Law Office Of Yeazell And Sweet takes custody matters seriously, and can help you make any necessary adjustments.
To schedule a consultation, call our office at (813) 285-5705 or visit us online.