Formal Education

There are many benefits to scheduling extended parenting times. Spending time together without the interruptions of work, school, or time with the other parent allows everyone to take a break from the normal routine. During these times, both parents and children get to see each other in a different light and learn more about each other. For the parent who usually has shorter visits, it’s an opportunity to deepen your relationship with your children and to have more quality time in between the awkward transitions at the beginning and end of each visit.

Extended parenting time does not have to be limited to summer. The children’s school calendar offers several opportunities to schedule extended parenting time for each parent, but many parenting plans don’t take advantage of them.

During Winter break, for example, instead of one parent having the children on Christmas Eve, the other on Christmas Day, and the same for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, consider splitting the school break between you. One parent has the children for the first half of Winter break, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and the other has the children for the second half of Winter break, including New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Although not having the children with you for the special winter holidays might be difficult at first, you will probably come to appreciate having this extended time mid-year.

And, don’t forget Spring break. Instead of splitting Spring break between you each year, try one of you having the children for the entire Spring break in odd numbered years, and the other having the children in even numbered years?

If you rethink holidays and school breaks to provide these opportunities for additional extended parenting time, you can even schedule regular visits with family or friends well in advance without having to work around the other parent’s parenting time.