Yes, you read that right. Even though it’s late summer, it’s not too early to start thinking about your child’s winter holiday vacation if you share parenting time with your former spouse or partner.
Why start planning so early? If you don’t, you may run into situations that could create intense conflict that could have been avoided if you and your co-parent had taken time to work out your differences and set expectations with less time pressure.
Potential concerns that you’ll want to address
If you have not yet constructed a parenting plan, you’ll want to keep certain considerations in mind as you work through the process. If you already have a parenting plan in place, you’ll need to defer to its terms when planning for this holiday season, seeking compromise when appropriate.
You may need a modification to its terms if doing so is a mutually agreeable prospect or is necessary due to contentious circumstances. Having legal guidance as you do this is important.
Among the considerations you’ll need to keep in mind include:
- Who will have parenting time on which days?
- How will transportation be managed?
- Who is responsible for various costs?
- How will virtual visitation work during this period?
- How will your child connect with extended family members and loved ones, as appropriate?
- Do any purchases of clothing, “gear,” etc. need to be made? If so, by whom?
- If one of you is leaving the state or the country with your child, how will you document the other’s acknowledgement and consent of this arrangement?
The holidays can be joyous, but this can also be a very stressful time of year for anybody. Working through challenges with your co-parent proactively can help you to avoid certain stresses, which may prove to be a welcome turn of events.
