COMPASSION, KNOWLEDGE AND
Experience You
Can Rely On

A spring break close to home still takes planning

On Behalf of | Mar 9, 2020 | Child Custody & Parenting Time |

With your kids’ spring break coming up, maybe you’ve decided (like many Americans) that getting on an airplane or driving to a crowded theme park isn’t the best idea in the midst of worldwide public health advisories. However, it’s important to have a plan in place even if you and the kids are staying close to home.

It’s wise to include spring break in your parenting time schedule so that you and your kids will know which parent they’ll be with or how they’ll divide their time while they’re out of school. This can help you determine whether you need to schedule time off work or arrange for child care for your kids if you can’t.

Spring break can occur during different weeks each year. If you have kids in more than one school, you may be dealing with two or more weeks of vacation time. Check your kids’ school calendars at the beginning of each year, so you can arrange for time off work as soon as possible.

That’s just the beginning of your planning, however. If your children will be splitting time between your home and your co-parent’s, it’s a good idea to coordinate your activities (with some input from your kids) so that they — and you — can have an enjoyable spring break. This coordination can also help you ensure that you’re not both planning the same activities.

Since Colorado weather is famously unpredictable, it’s wise to plan both indoor and outdoor activities. You also may want to make some plans with neighbors, family or friends and their kids to go to a park, a museum or have a backyard barbeque.

If you have some time off work and you don’t have the kids for all of it, don’t be afraid to take a mini-break of your own. A day trip to a spa or a few rounds of golf with friends can help you relax and be better able to handle the stress of chauffeuring your kids around the area the rest of the week.

While kids want to relax and have fun on spring break, it’s important for them to know there’s a plan and to have some structure. If you and your co-parent haven’t included spring break in your custody agreement, your attorney can provide guidance as you work with your ex to include it so that you’ll be ready for next year.

FindLaw Network