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Blog 2018 June 4 Tips To Make Co-Parenting Easier This Summer
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4 Tips To Make Co-Parenting Easier This Summer

Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny || 4-Jun-2018

Sharing parenting responsibilities don’t always make the job easier. In fact, parenting alongside your ex is often a bit challenging, if not downright difficult. With summer just around the corner, it’s important to start the season off right with a strong parenting plan that helps you, your ex, and your children approach the next few months with a positive outlook.

To improve your co-parenting situation this summer, try implementing these useful techniques and tricks:

1. Create a Summer Schedule

Summer break is often full of vacations, barbeques, beach days, and other fun activities that families don’t always have time for during the rest of the year. Also, children usually have a few months off for summer break, which means they may participate in summer camp, daycare, or they might stay home with one of their parents. Because summer brings so many changes, it’s often in the parents’ best interest to draw up a temporary schedule for the summer.

If you and your ex get along well enough, try to meet in person and create a calendar for the duration of the summer, that way you don’t have to worry about arranging things as you go. For co-parents who don’t get along as well, you might consider creating a schedule over email, or with the help of a mediator.

2. Let Your Kids Have a Say

Remember, this is your kids’ summer vacation too, and there are probably a few things they’d really like to do. Take their requests into account and see what you can do. If your child prefers summer camp over daycare, try to make it happen. If they want to join a sports league or have birthday parties they’d like to go to, see if you are able to fit a few of these requests into the summer schedule.

3. Be Encouraging

The last thing you want to do is drive a wedge between your child and their other parent. It can be easy to feel competitive with your co-parent, but remember how this could impact your child. Never badmouth your ex in front of your child, find a trusted confidant or friend to vent your frustrations to instead. Encourage your child in their relationship with their other parent and ask them about the fun times they had while away. Don’t pry, but make sure your children know that they can talk to you if they wish.

Also, if you feel comfortable enough, try to be encouraging with your ex as well. If you have the children for a long vacation in Hawaii, send your co-parent a picture of your child learning to surf. Or, if your ex missed a big soccer game, let them know how your child did. The more you communicate, the more likely your ex is to reciprocate the kind gesture.

4. Value Your Time Apart

Of course you miss your kids when they’re with their other parent, it can be difficult to enjoy time without them, especially during the summer. However, instead of dwelling on what you’re missing out on, try to use this time to appreciate the down time or to get things done on your own. Catch up on your to-do list and get everything done so that when you do see your kids, you have more time for them. Or, if you’re planning any adults-only vacations or outings, try to plan them on the days you don’t have your children.

If you need additional help dealing with visitation or child custody issues this summer, our firm can help. Contact the Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny to discuss your situation with our Houston family lawyers.

Categories: Divorce, Family Law, Child Custody

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