Work out schedule changes early with your ex

As the warmer months of the year approach, parents might need to make some decisions about how to handle schedule changes. These aren’t always easy to work through, but you should be able to turn to your parenting plan to find out if there is already a schedule that works for the circumstances. For example, you may have a summer schedule that includes information about how vacations are handled.

If you don’t have a firm schedule for the summers and vacations, you should discuss the matter with your ex as soon as possible. Being able to narrow down the dates for any trips or vacations early may help you with your planning. This also leaves time for negotiations if there are any concessions that might be necessary from either or both parents.

Trying to work through these matters might be complex, but you and your ex should remain respectful of each other. Having an almost business-like approach to these matters might be beneficial since it enables you to think clearly as you make decisions.

Throughout the decision-making process, you need to think about what’s best for the children. Sometimes, concessions for the days the child will be with a specific parent are well worth the benefits that the children will reap from that change. Think about this as you work toward finding solutions for the schedule changes.

While most parents can work through these matters as a team, there are times when they will need to involve the court. Parenting plans can be modified when they need to be so that they reflect the best interests of the children.