Families often look forward to summer vacations because those trips are a chance to get away from home and relax. Children usually look forward to the summer months because they don’t have to go to school. But, for divorced parents, summer vacations and school breaks are sometimes a source of stress.
Since the summer months are coming up quickly, parents must take the time to get the plan for those months set. Understanding what to consider to make the plan may reduce the stress associated with this time of year.
Check the parenting plan
One of the first things that parents should do is to check the parenting plan. This should have a parenting time schedule for the school break, so both parents can determine when they will have the children. For parents of young children, the schedule is important so they can find childcare.
As you check the parenting plan, determine what requirements are present for vacations if you plan on taking one. For example, some parenting plans have geographical restrictions for travel unless permission from the other parent or the court is received. Knowing exactly what’s in the parenting plan is important.
One special consideration is international travel. Even if this is allowed by the parenting plan, it requires special planning. Both parents have to sign the passport application for the children. Certain countries may require a copy of the birth certificate and a notarized statement from the non-traveling parent that grants the other parent permission to take the child out of the country.
It’s critical to have the terms for summer listed clearly in the parenting plan. Setting these terms and others that are necessary for co-parenting may be easier if you work with someone familiar with your circumstances and the available options.