Megan Prideaux from the family team at Ashfords solicitors considers the challenges faced by separated parents planning a summer holiday
The summer holidays can be a challenge for separated parents trying to juggle plans for the children and their work over a long holiday period. Navigating a plan for the summer to incorporate trips, holiday clubs and other activities can be overwhelming and a challenging balancing act.
Start to plan early
Making plans for the summer period early is essential. Leaving plans to the last minute often adds additional stress, difficulty in managing expectations and time pressure which can lead to heightened emotions for separated parents. If you can, have a discussion as soon as possible about the arrangements or set out proposals in writing as to how to split the holidays in a way that is fair and suits the family. Will the children be going on any holidays within the UK or abroad? These often need to be booked in advance, and so making sure that the holidays are discussed sooner rather than later can be very helpful for planning holidays, as well as annual leave from work and childcare.
Taking the children abroad
Considering where the children’s passports are and where they need to be is also essential if they are going to be travelling abroad. As well as any vaccinations, travel insurance and any medications they may need whilst away.
Once flights and accommodation are booked, it is a good idea to give the details and rough plans to the other parent as well as emergency contact details for the trip.
Where to start when it comes to planning the summer holidays?
There is no right or wrong in terms of the time spent with each parent. Some families choose to alternate the weeks so that the children spend one week with one parent and then one week with the other. Others choose to split the weeks or do a combination so they can go on holiday with the children, but also spend shorter periods of time together after the trips. Limiting long periods of travel on consecutive days is often favoured, and so working out the likely journeys in advance can really help set out a clear structure for the arrangements.
Aside from deciding where the children spend their time, it is also helpful to consider whether family or friends will help with childcare when annual leave is not possible. Also, whether the children will go to holiday clubs or a childminder. Again, booking early can be essential.
Speaking to the children whilst they are away
Some parents like to have a set routine when the children will call or video call the other parent. This is particularly helpful for young children who are perhaps not used to spending a full week without the other parent. Others prefer to keep things flexible and enable the children to speak to the other parent whenever they decide they want to. It depends what works for both the children and the family as to what will suit the situation.
Looking ahead
Once a plan has been agreed or whilst considering one, it is worthwhile considering what needs to happen to get the children ready for the next year ahead. Do they need to be taken to get new school uniform or school shoes? Do they need to do any preparatory work or reading? If children will be getting the bus or walking to school for the first time, do they need to be shown the route so it doesn’t become a last minute rush with neither parent knowing if the other is taking care of these things?
Sometimes, parents set a routine that can be copied for the following year or rotated so that plans can be made early for next year’s trips. It is a good idea to reflect on how the arrangements have worked for the children and both parents over the summer, and see if any tweaks are needed to make things work better the following summer.
Help is on hand
If an agreement cannot be reached, help is available. A mediation session could be arranged to discuss and agree plans or help from a solicitor can also be sought. Court applications can be made as a last resort option, for example to determine if the children can go away abroad where this cannot be agreed between the parents. Reaching out for help in plenty of time will be crucial to making sure a resolution can be reached before the holidays start.
For more information please contact Megan Prideaux, 0796 750 2634 email hidden; JavaScript is required.