Your child’s summer school break has already likely begun or will be soon. While it’s likely that you’ve already made vacation arrangements for the summer, a new opportunity may arise, resulting in you needing to negotiate with your ex. Even if doesn’t, another one is sure to come up soon.
You can now take steps to ensure that you’re ready to tackle these vacation negotiations when they inevitably approach.
Sorting out vacation plans
Schools generally release academic schedules for the school year well in advance of when it’s supposed to start. You’ll want to both print it off and start discussing any plans as soon as possible.
You’ll want to involve your ex in any such discussion, whether it’s the planning stage, to ensure that you don’t take your child on the exact same trip or once you hone in on a date so that you can make sure it doesn’t overlap with something they have planned for your child.
You should also be proactive in keeping your ex abreast of your plans as soon as you finalize your plans so that your ex can make the necessary arrangements to their schedule. You two may need to make arrangements for your child to enjoy additional custody before and after your scheduled vacation. You’ll also want to discuss arrangements for ensuring that your ex and child remain in contact while they’re away.
Brokering a vacation plan for you and your ex
Reaching an agreement with your ex over vacation plans doesn’t have to be hard. Taking time to make plans and discuss them with your ex can minimize potential conflict.
All co-parenting relationships function differently. Some parents tend to use their children as pawns and are very inflexible in making alternative custody arrangements. You may find it helpful to introduce an attorney into the mix to help you sort through such disputes when they arise.