The academic school year is almost finished and many divorced or separated parents will need to adjust their routines. In Oregon, the summer months are a great time to go camping or enjoy the scenic coastline with children, but disputes over when vacations occur can be common. An Oregon child parenting time order that allows for every other weekend visits may allow a larger amount of time, such as one-half of the summer break.

In many cases, a parenting time plan does not provide the exact dates that a child is with each parent during the summer. This can provide flexibility to the parents to plan around a sports camp or other activity, but it may also lead to additional friction. A parenting coordinator or mediator may assist in resolving vacation time disputes. In addition, new apps and sharing websites may help parents coordinate schedules, communicate and track expenses when it comes to summer vacation.

For those who cannot communicate easily with an ex-spouse, it may be best to lay out in writing when parenting time will occur. Detailing how summer activity costs will be split between the parents may also avoid future arguments.

Daycare and activities during the summer months

For parents who do not usually have a child reside with them during the school year, it may be a challenge to line up activities and day care. Typically, available vacation does not cover the full amount of time that the child stays, so lining up childcare is important to planning a summer visit. If an employer has flexible work arrangements this might allow more time with the child during the visit.

Summer vacation may also provide a time when a child can spend some time with grandparents or other relatives.

Input from older children

As children grow older, they start to make their own plans for summer vacation. A friend may invite the child to a cabin on a lake for a week or there might be an important camp.

Summer vacation for older children often involves more planning, but it is important to sit down and discuss plans. Discussing with children what they would like to do with you during a stay including, activities and trips can also help with planning.

If circumstances change and one parent moves to another state to take a new job, a modification of the parenting plan may be necessary. A longer summer visit may offset the inability to see the child regularly during the school year.

Navigating parenting time issues is difficult and emotionally taxing. Contact an experienced family law attorney who can assist with preparing an initial parenting time plan or modifying a past plan that no longer works for your family.