Switching up parenting time schedules during the summer

As spring will quickly turn to summer, many families are looking ahead and making plans for vacations, camps and time off from school. For co-parents, this is also a good time to revisit parenting time schedules and consider how they may need to be adjusted to accommodate summer changes in routine. 

If you co-parent with your ex, whether you’re following a detailed custody agreement or working off a more flexible arrangement, planning ahead can help you to make the summer smooth and enjoyable for everyone in your broader family.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach 

Summer often inspires a very different rhythm from the rest of the year. Without school, kids may have more downtime, and both parents may want to take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy extended time together. It’s not uncommon for families to agree on longer stretches of parenting time during the summer months—such as two-week blocks or alternating weeks—especially when travel or vacations are involved.

If your current custody order includes a standard school-year schedule, it may also contain provisions for summer modifications. These could include details about how vacation time is requested, whether parenting time alternates differently during June, July and August, or deadlines by which each parent must submit their summer plans. However, if your agreement is silent on summer schedules, it’s wise to start communicating with your child’s other parent early—preferably by April—to avoid last-minute conflicts.

In some cases, co-parents may need to formally modify their custody agreement to better fit their family’s changing needs. If you and your co-parent can’t agree on summer arrangements, seeking legal guidance is a good way to get started. 

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