Whether you are already divorced or only separated, the summer holidays can present a new set of challenges to newly-single parents managing visitation schedules for the first time. Besides managing to care for your children by yourself, you need to cooperate with your ex about vacation schedules, summer activities, and transitioning the children between homes. This can all add up to a lot of stress. Here are three tips to help you get through the summer holidays after your Texas divorce.
Plan Ahead
Ideally, each parent will get a good chunk of uninterrupted vacation time with a child. Although there is no school, the summer months tend to be full of scheduled activities that can get in the way of planning a vacation last minute. To prevent confusion and conflict, plan well ahead and try to communicate calmly and clearly with your ex. Avoid making firm reservations and paying for expensive flights and hotels until you can make sure your plans do not conflict with other activities.
Take Important Dates Into Consideration
If your co-parent has a birthday or enjoys spending Mother’s Day with her children, avoid making plans that coincide with those days. Likewise, be sensitive to important dates your children may want to be present for. Spending time with friends is a major part of your kids’ lives, especially when they are teenagers. They may be very upset to miss birthdays, school theme park days, and other social activities. Talk to them and see whether they have any important activities coming up before you make plans.
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