It’s the start of April which means spring break is just around the corner. This is the time for children to unwind and take advantage of a week off from school. This week is supposed to be relaxing, so don’t put your child in a difficult situation by forcing them to pick who they want to spend their spring break with. It can be difficult to decide where your child will spend this week, so you’ll need to come up with a plan that is fair to all. In this case, you typically have two choices. One option is to divide the week in half, with one parent receiving the first half and the other receiving the second half, or to alternate years for spring break, with one parent receiving the even years and the other receiving the odd years. Since spring break is usually just one week long, dividing the week between parents isn’t always a practical idea. This will just add to the child’s frustration and tension, which is the exact opposite of what they want. Coming up with an amicable arrangement in which one parent has spring break one year and the other the following year makes for a more pleasant and relaxing experience for everyone involved.
When making a plan for your child, remember to be flexible. Compromise with your former partner for the sake of your child’s well-being, and make this a less stressful time for your child. If it’s your year for spring break and you don’t have a trip planned, but the other parent has the chance to take your kids on a vacation, perhaps use this as an opportunity to switch the years.
As your children get older, it will become even more important to remain flexible. Your children will have their own schedules that will need to be considered — sports practices, extracurricular activities, plans with friends. You will need to be even more willing to compromise and more understanding of the idea that plans may change. The more you and your former spouse are able to work together, the more your children will benefit.
If you have any questions about your specific situation during spring break or any other holiday or vacation time, please do not hesitate to contact our firm at jennyb@birzlaw.com or call 201-701-1218 to schedule a consultation.