Divorce can be one of the most challenging experiences any person goes through, but the situation can be even more complex when you have children to consider. Luckily, having a solid child custody agreement in place can make the process of raising a child with a former spouse easier.
In the state of Michigan, parents can work together to create a parenting schedule to include as part of their custody agreement. Because every family differs, schedules can vary, but they usually follow a regular pattern. While consistency can be good, what happens when one parent wants to include his or her child on a vacation that interrupts the normal schedule? If you worry about how child custody arrangements might impact an upcoming holiday or vacation, here are a couple of suggestions for approaching special time in your custody agreement.
Keep Communication Open
When it comes to co-parenting through vacation time, keeping an open line of communication about your plans can reduce the potential for misunderstandings down the road. While writing a schedule in the actual custody agreement can be helpful for both legal and planning purposes, also sharing relevant contact information, dates and other details can make holidays and vacations less stressful for both parents.
Note How Children Respond
Custody agreements may simplify the lives of parents, but at the end of the day, it is your children who feel the impacts. For this reason, pay attention to how your son or daughter reacts to any holiday or vacation arrangements you and your former spouse make, and make adjustments if necessary.
Holidays and vacations can be special times for many families. If sharing this time with your child is important to you, there are ways to approach the situation so that everyone benefits.