Determining exactly how you can spend with your children during spring break after a divorce can often be pretty challenging. Co-parenting can give way to disputes if one fails to discuss and coordinate with the other’s ex-partners’ plans.
If you want to enjoy your kids’ spring break with your kids and do it amicably with your co-parent, then here are the steps to go by.
Whether you plan to go for a trip or plan to get some much-needed downtime with your little one, then plan and coordinate right. Yes, especially if you are divorced, and there are chances to affect your now fragile relationship with your ex-spouse. It may also lead to misunderstanding and affect the custody and visitation issues.
Kids Come First
Getting along with your ex can turn out to be trying, but you must forget your past and ensure that your kid can have a great time. Both of you should forget your past and concentrate on the now for the sake of your kids.
Ask your kids first what they would like to do for spring break. And if one parent plans a holiday without discussing it with the other former spouse or child. The trip is all about the kids, and it should stay that way.
The Spring Parenting Plan
If the right parenting plan is not in place, say think about the custody/visitation during spring break, both parents must outline a proper plan to ensure who should stay exactly for how many hours. This may seem too formal, but it is important to establish a proper arrangement for everyone.
If you are not planning to go anywhere for spring break this time around, you can instead spend some quality time with your kid/kids at home. If it seems difficult to evaluate exactly how much time one should spend with each other, consider seeking help from a facilitator to reach an agreement.
Exciting Plans Ahead
If you plan to go on a trip to a fun destination with your child, then share the itinerary with the co-parent. The only way to have a discord-free trip is to respect each other’s feelings.
If the other parent plans to take the kids somewhere, instead of arguing with the person, respect it. The only way to ensure a healthy relationship is to have a proper understanding. It would help if you did not want to punish the other parent. This will unnecessarily brew bad blood.
Update Your Ex-Spouse Always
If you think of going out of town for a vacation, always keep your child’s other parent in the loop. They have a right to know what is going on in their kids’ lives and keep their minds at ease. You don’t have to keep in touch always, but sometimes you can always update them. Updating them about the minute things can create the foundation of understanding and trust.
Your journey towards maintaining a proper relationship with the other parent is for life, so build it up brick by brick to ensure a trustworthy relationship in the future. Always ensure your child maintains constant communication with the other parent.
Stick to a Schedule That Works
If both the parents plan to stay at home because of work commitments, plan out a schedule that works for both parties. Staying at home due to work, determine a schedule that works for both parties and the children.
Compare notes and share each other’s work schedules, and set up a schedule that both parties can spend quality time with their children. To make it more fun, know all about the fun activities are happening at the time locally. Plan at-home stuff, too, such as movie nights, pajama nights, or cooking days. This is something that will remain a memorable experience for each one of them.
Split the Week
If both you and your ex are in town at the same time and do not have a full week off, consider splitting the week in half, so both of you get to enjoy equal time with the kids. If it seems too much of an ask, you can take the spring break alternatively. So, if one year you can spend spring break with your kids the next year, your spouse will have the opportunity to spend time with the kids. This works great in custody arrangements. Try it out. It may work for you too.
So, you see, it may not be too tough to score brownie points as co-parents and make the spring break a happy affair for your kids.