Managing child arrangements over school holidays

The school holidays and Easter break are just around the corner.  Whilst children and parents welcome the break for routine, these periods can be difficult to navigate when parents are no longer in a relationship, however good their co-parenting plan and communication may be.

There are though some key pointers to remember to help make the holiday planning and the period itself as easy and enjoyable as possible.

• Try not to involve the children in making your decisions, whilst it may seem like a sensible approach to ask them what they want, the children will not want to upset either of you, they will want you to make the decisions for them.
• They will want to spend time with you both and may well miss the other parent when they are with you, let them know that’s okay and ensure they can speak with the other parent at any time.
• Respect the other parent’s time with the children, it’s important that they have quality time with you both. 
• Remember that this is also the children’s time to have a break from the school.  Try wherever possible to factor in some time so that they are able to relax, holidays periods aren’t just about fun days and holidays away, all too often children just want to have time at home to rest.
• Try not to make the holidays a competition between you.  The children will hugely benefit from being with you both, it’s not about who can plan the best break or day out.  The children will just want to spend time with you both.

Above all, enjoy the time you have over the holidays!