Parenting Time During Summer Vacations

Navigating parenting time during the summer presents unique challenges for co-parents. The summer naturally includes longer stretches of time, travel opportunities, camps, and shifting routines that are not present during the school year. If parents do not put thought into scheduling, what should be a relaxed season can quickly devolve into confusion and conflict.

Typical summer parenting time structures:

• Alternating Weeks or Blocks of Time:

In this type of arrangement, parents rotate parenting time on a weekly or multi-week basis. This approach allows each parent to have uninterrupted time with the child, which allows for more free and uninhibited planning and quality time.

• Regular Parenting Time Schedule with Designated Vacation Time:

Where this arrangement is utilized, typically the regular parenting time schedule is followed, and each parent is allocated a set period of time for vacation (typically taken in one-week increments). These periods are scheduled in advance and take priority over the regular schedule, with each parent often having reciprocal entitlement to vacation time, without the need to negotiate the same annually.

• Regular Parenting Time Schedule with Adjustments:

Some families choose an arrangement that keeps their regular parenting time schedule in place with limited modifications to accommodate camps, childcare, or occasional travel. This schedule is more variable than the others stated herein.

• Customized Arrangements:

It is recognized that every family’s circumstances are different and sometimes require accommodations or arrangements that do not fall into one of the above categories. When that occurs, summer schedules are often tailored, taking into consideration the specific circumstances of the parties, including but not limited to work obligations, distance between homes, childcare needs, and the child’s interests and activities.

Planning ahead is critical and not something that should be rushed. Camps, childcare, and travel plans tend to require advanced planning due to booking deadlines, registration requirements, and similar considerations. Delays in communication can lead to overlapping commitments or unnecessary disputes, which is why Orders include notice provisions that require that parents select vacation time by a certain date to ensure no overlap and a smooth transition into the summer months. Even where there may not be an Order with such requirements, early coordination and agreement are among the most effective ways to avoid conflict.

Logistics matter a lot when it comes to summer parenting time. Travel, especially out of state or out of the country, requires advance notice or agreement depending on what your Order says (i.e., coordination of contact information, itinerary, passports, etc.). Camps and activities usually have set schedules and costs, as well as registration deadlines, so those need to be sorted out ahead of time to ensure the opportunity is not missed. It is also important to be clear about who is responsible for transportation so there are no last-minute issues.

Perhaps the most important consideration in all of this is the child’s experience. Additional or extended parenting time during summer vacation is not about maximizing your time at the expense of the other parent or “winning” an argument about who gets what dates; rather, it is about creating meaningful, consistent experiences between parent and child and ensuring that summers are a time that the child can look forward to. Not a time that causes uncertainty and stress. Children benefit from structure, even in the summer months, and from knowing what to expect when it comes to scheduling, whose home they will be at, what camps they’ll attend, etc.

A smoother summer schedule usually starts with planning early and having conversations well in advance so both parents can coordinate vacations, camps, and other commitments without unnecessary tension. Tension that is not only visible to the parents, but often also to the child. It also helps to be clear and specific by confirming dates, travel plans, and exchange times in writing to avoid misunderstandings. The focus should stay on what provides stability and enjoyment for the child rather than treating scheduling like a competition. Addressing logistics upfront, including scheduled vacation weeks that supersede regular parenting time, sharing of transportation, costs for camps, and any permissions or consents that may be required, can further reduce conflict. Communication should remain direct between parents, not using the child as a go-between, and is often best where there is written communication or parenting tools used to keep expectations clear, allowing summer parenting time to be a positive and consistent experience for everyone involved.

At The Colwell Law Group, we have offices in Albany, Saratoga Springs, Syracuse, and Rochester, and help clients put clear, workable parenting plans in place. If your summer schedule is unclear or creating conflict, addressing it now can prevent bigger issues down the road.