Five things divorced parents need to know ahead of the summer holidays

With the school holidays fast approaching, co-parents will be preparing to align on childcare, school clubs, trips abroad and splitting costs. Whilst it’s a joyful time for children, for separated parents, it can be a period of heightened tensions and logistical challenges. However, it doesn’t have to be difficult; planning ahead and communicating effectively can make the difference between a smooth summer holiday and a stress-filled one.

Taking your child abroad after divorce

Many parents will be thinking about packing suitcases and preparing for sunshine as they look forward to a trip away, but there are a few vital things to tick off before heading to the airport.

If you have shared parental responsibility with your child’s other parent, you must have their permission to take your child abroad; a letter confirming this consent is usually enough. Without permission, this could be considered child abduction. If you’re unable to reach an agreement with your former partner, then you will need to apply to the court for permission, which usually comes in the form of a Specific Issue Order. If you have an existing Child Arrangement Order stating that the child lives with you, then you are legally allowed to take your child abroad for up to 28 days without consent from the other parent.

What seems like a simple summer holiday can be complex for co-parents. Thinking ahead, communicating your plans with your former partner and seeking legal advice where needed is key to ensuring you can make those special memories with your child(ren). For more detailed guidance on how temporary trips overseas affect your current arrangements, you can read our guide on child relocation and temporary international travel.

Introducing new partners to your children over the summer

New partners are often a contentious topic for co-parents and an issue that can be exacerbated during the summer holidays. Whether it’s a new partner going on a trip away or taking on some of the childcare, understandably, parents can be cautious about trusting an unfamiliar face. Whilst there are no specific rules around introducing new partners, this is often best avoided on holidays or special occasions, so if there are plans to bring a new partner on a trip, make sure any introductions have been made in advance and that the other parent has been informed and is comfortable.

Arranging summer childcare plans with your ex-partner

Covering six weeks of childcare is a challenge for any parent but for those who are divorced, it can bring additional complexities and disagreements over who will take time off work when, holiday clubs, support from wider family and the timing of trips. If you have an amicable relationship with your former spouse, sitting down to discuss arrangements ahead of time is the best way to decide on how to split the childcare. Family mediation is another route to making arrangements if you feel you need support in facilitating these conversations.

Being flexible with the usual schedule, perhaps through longer periods with each parent to allow for trips and make it easier to plan time off work, is one way to make it smoother. Additionally, some co-parents choose to use a shared calendar so they can plot in important dates, occasions and trips and highlight when the help of holiday clubs or extended family may be required.

Splitting summer holiday expenses and childcare costs

The longest school holiday of the year also means a period of additional expenses. Between days out, additional food, holiday clubs, activities and higher bills, it can really add up. For co-parents, this can be a point of tension and sharing the summer holiday costs is key to avoiding one parent feeling financially put out by the end of the six weeks.

Again, having these conversations early means that you can plot out expected additional costs and discuss how these should be divided. If time spent with both parents is set to be around equal, then it may be that each parent foots the bill for the time spent with them, inclusive of trips, holiday clubs and household expenses. However, if one parent is taking a much bigger share of the childcare, then you may need to agree on an additional contribution. If an agreement can’t be reached, then specialist legal support or mediation can help.

How early should you plan summer contact arrangements?

A common theme throughout all of the issues that may arise for separated parents during the summer holidays is that planning ahead and initiating conversations early can really make a difference. Last-minute changes can be stressful for both parents and children involved and ensuring childcare arrangements have been made, trips are booked, permission has been given and costs have been discussed means that you can look forward to the summer holidays and enjoy spending precious time with your child(ren). Despite this, things don’t always go to plan, so being flexible and adapting where needed helps to keep the relationship amicable.

Specialist support with the summer holidays

At Maguire Family Law, we understand that it’s often not as simple as having a conversation and making amicable agreements. If you think the other parent is unlikely to engage in discussions about the summer holidays or you have already made attempts to bring it up which have been ignored or met with tensions, then our family law experts can help.

Get in touch to find out how we can support you, whether through mediation, a Specific Issue Order or simply understanding your legal position, so you can enjoy a stress-free summer holiday.