How to Manage Child Arrangements During the Summer Holidays

As the school bells ring for Summer, many separated parents face the challenge of deciding how their child’s time should be divided during the holidays. While the Summer break can be an exciting time for children, it often requires careful planning and cooperation between parents to ensure arrangements run smoothly.

Whether you already have a Child Arrangements Order in place or are working with an informal agreement, we have set out a few tips you may want to consider before the Summer holiday begin.

Why could the summer holidays cause conflict?

Summer holidays are an exciting time for children, but for coparents, challenges can arise. It is not unusual for disagreements to surface when trying to make holiday plans, particularly where parents cannot agree on travel logistics, how parenting time should be divided or consenting to holidays in the first place (depending on the circumstances, permission may be needed from both parents for the child to be taken abroad).

Three tips to consider to manage conflict over the Summer holidays

The importance of planning ahead

Early communication between parents is essential when making arrangements for your child. Discussing plans in advance can help reduce conflict, avoid misunderstandings and ensure that both parents are aware of any upcoming changes to their routine.

The Summer holidays can be a busy time for children. Without the structure provided by the school term, schedules can fill up surprisingly quickly with different events, such as birthday parties, clubs and daytrips.  Some parents find it useful to keep a shared calendar setting out all of the activities their children have coming up in one place to avoid confusion.

Effective communication between parents

During certain times in the year, particularly the summer holidays, parents can find it more difficult to coordinate their child’s commitments, shared parenting time and holiday plans. This is often worsened when communication between parents has broken down or there are disagreements over how their child’s summer plans should be organised.

Emotions between separated parents can understandably run high, but it is important to remember that arguments will only increase tension and stress. Keeping discussions limited to facts and specific arrangements can help to avoid tensions rising, and there is nothing wrong with stepping away from discussions that are starting to become heated to let emotions settle.

Being Flexible

It goes without saying that flexibility is an essential element of co-parenting. As a parent, there will always be times when the unexpected happens and plans need to change. If the circumstances allow it, being willing to step in can help reduce stress for both parents and children. 

Flexibility also encourages a positive co-parenting relationship; By working together and showing willingness to accommodate reasonable changes, children can pick up on reduced tensions between their parents.

When to seek legal advice

If communication breaks down and an agreement cannot be reached, it might be necessary to seek legal advice. Our team of solicitors can explain the options available, helping parents understand their rights and responsibilities in order to provide professional guidance going forward. In many cases, mediation may also be an appropriate option, allowing parents to discuss arrangements in a neutral space.

At Grant Stephens Family Law, we offer Private Child Law services in:

• Child Arrangement Orders
• Child Maintenance
• Parental Responsibility
• Grandparents Rights

We also offer family law services in divorce matters, finance matters, unmarried couples matters, nuptial agreement matters, court alternative matters and domestic abuse matters, ensuring that our clients best interests are protected .

Why choose Grant Stephens Family Law?

Grant Stephens Family Law are one of the leading family law firms in Wales, with specialisms in complex children, divorce and financial matters. The firm has a team of expert solicitors who balance a unique level of empathy and compassion, with outstanding legal knowledge, ensuring that all our clients are protected and receive the best outcomes possible for them and their families.

With offices in both central Cardiff and the heart of Swansea, our firm of experts are perfectly positioned to assist you in your family law matter and We offer in-person and virtual meetings to allow flexibility around busy work schedules.

Grant Stephens Family Law is a Resolution accredited firm, prioritising court alterative methods where ever possible.