Children tend to operate on two basic schedules. They have one schedule that they use during the school year, which consists of going to school until roughly 3:00 p.m. every weekday, much the same as their parents’ likely work schedule. They have a second schedule for the summer, which is when they get three months off for vacation.
Parents who share custody, then, also need to have two distinct parenting schedules that they can use, depending on the time of year. While the parents may only have one work schedule for their entire year, they have to adjust to their children’s needs.
Since we are now fast approaching that day when the kids go back to school, your parenting schedule may be about to change. Have you reviewed your plan recently? Are you ready for that shift?
For instance, perhaps it’s easier for the kids to live with you all week when they go to school since you can drop them off on the way to work. They go live with your ex on the weekends. This ensures that you both see them, and you both have free time.
In the summer, though, maybe the kids just move back and forth every other week. The split is completely equal every month. Switching back to having the kids every weekday means some alterations to your own schedule and your obligations. You must consider things like when you pick them up, when you drop them off, if you need to use child care and much more.
As you can see, figuring out a parenting schedule that puts the kids first can be complicated. Make sure you know exactly what steps you need to take and what options you have.