Summer break can disrupt even the most well-established co-parenting routines. When school ends, your carefully crafted schedule may suddenly need adjustments. The transition from homework and structured days to summer freedom often requires a new approach to parenting time.
You and your co-parent can survive this seasonal shift by working together to create a summer visitation schedule that serves your children’s best interests. With proper planning, summer break can provide unique opportunities for quality time with your children.
Adjustments are often needed
Managing summer visitation schedules presents different challenges depending on your children’s ages. For parents of young children, you’ll need to arrange childcare or camps to cover the hours they would typically be in school.
Teenagers may have summer jobs, sports commitments or social activities that complicate scheduling. Distance between co-parents can create additional hurdles, especially if one parent lives out of state.
Transportation logistics become more complex without the predictable rhythm of school drop-offs and pick-ups. Even vacation planning requires careful coordination to ensure both parents have meaningful summer experiences with their children.
Four common revised summer schedules
Texas courts typically allow flexibility in visitation schedules as long as both parents agree and the modifications don’t violate the existing custody order. When considering changes for summer, these four arrangements often work well:
- 2-2-3 schedule: Your child spends two days with you, two with the other parent and three days with you before the pattern reverses.
- Alternating weeks: Children spend one week with each parent, sometimes with a mid-week visit to the other parent.
- Every two weeks: Similar to alternating weeks but with longer stretches, allowing for more stability and fewer transitions.
- Whole summer with one parent: Particularly useful when one parent lives far away and has limited access during the school year.
Remember that any schedule changes should prioritize your children’s well-being rather than simply convenience for parents.
Maintain an open dialogue with your co-parent
Respectful communication forms the foundation of successful co-parenting. When discussing summer schedule adjustments, focus on your children’s needs rather than personal preferences. Be clear about vacation plans well in advance and document any agreed changes in writing.
If disagreements arise about summer schedules, a child custody attorney can help find solutions that protect your parenting rights while avoiding unnecessary conflict. Courts always prioritize arrangements that serve the child’s best interests, so approach negotiations with this principle in mind.