Summer Co-Parenting Course
While summer break is often considered a time of relaxation, summertime for families of divorced and separated parents can be quite complicated. From negotiating summer vacations and rearranging custody to figuring out day care arrangements, summer time can be a little harder to tackle than even the school year for some. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to make your children’s summer as uncomplicated and carefree as you can with this mini summer co-parenting course.
Be Flexible
One of the most important things to keep in mind when making summer plans is to give your kids lasting summer memories. If you want to do something over the summer and your co-parent is adamantly against it, take a breath and be flexible. Aim to compromise so the two of you can find a solution that is agreeable. By cooperating with one another, you can find a solution that both of you are happy with – and ultimately your kids will be happy with. You will find a plan that works out for your whole family if you stick to it.
Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute to Plan
Don’t wait until the week of to make plans. When another parent is involved with your planning, it rarely works out to fly by the seat of your pants.
Instead, work to set a schedule that includes all of your vacations and custody agreements. Make a schedule readily available for both parties so all can reference it as needed. Finalize plans with your ex and work out any kinks or details that need to be decided upon. Above all, keep your children’s wishes in mind along with those of your co-parent. Striving to come to agreement on schedules and details does more good than you may realize to your child and it truly makes your co-parenting relationship run much more smoothly.
Take a Clear Look At Your Self
Learn to work together by looking at your self first. If each of you takes this co-parenting course you can each get a good look at the effect your actions in the past had on what didn’t work in your relationship. Then you can create new ways to work together for the benefit of your children. This summer can be the beginning of something new.
Be Flexible
Be open to plans that differ from yours when it comes to negotiating schedules or vacation plans. If you wanted to take your children to a zoo on a certain date or to an event your children’s other parent is not comfortable with, be willing to compromise.
Do you and your co-parent want your children for the same dates for a vacation? See if it is possible for one of you to reschedule or alter plans.
Keep in mind that the most important thing in all of this is the happiness and health of your children. Avoid conflict whenever you can and keep your common goal in mind.
Talk with Your Kids
Don’t decide everything behind closed doors. Although it is important to hash out a lot of details without your kids around so they are not exposed to further and uncomfortable conflict, it is still vital that you keep their interests in mind. Ask them what they want to do over the summer. Your children must be the priority. Knowing what your kids want to do can be really helpful in planning your summer schedule.
Be Willing to Share Costs
Summer can be expensive when you have children. Overnight summer camp or summer sporting activities and programs can cost thousands. Lots of children outgrow last year’s summer clothes and need new wardrobes. Prepare for summer-related expenses while being willing to share expenses with your co-parent, especially if these details have not been discussed in child-support discussions. Consider planning a budget well ahead of time for summertime activities such as camps, tutors, supplemental school, driver’s education, travel, club memberships, lessons or sports, and more. Co-parenting and money issues tend to work out better with conversations ahead of time.
Take a Co-parenting Course
Enroll in a course that will benefit your family! Take a course that focuses on co-parenting. The Co-parenting Into the Future course provides the opportunity to see clearly what effect the past has had on your relationships and children. It gives you the ability to forge a new path for the benefit of the children. This co-parenting course helps each parent learn to take responsibility in the co-parenting relationship so it can work to the benefit of your beloved children.
