How to avoid the pitfalls of summer holiday childcare for separated parents

How to avoid the pitfalls of summer holiday childcare for separated parents

The school holidays are fast approaching and with them come the challenges of arranging family trips and childcare, a task which can be particularly complicated as separated parents. Stone King’s Family & Mediation Team, has tips on how to navigate this busy time so that both parents and children can get the most out of the summer and their time together.

1. Primarily, this is the children’s time to rest and recuperate after a busy year at school, remember they will want to see you both.
2. Try not to ask the children to make the decision, whilst their voice is important, the children will not want to upset either of you and would prefer you to decide. 
3. Remember the children love you both and want to spend time with you both. 
4. Ensure the children can speak with the other parent at any time, as they may well miss the other parent when they are with you, let them know that is a perfectly normal feeling.
5. Stay in touch. If you are taking the children on holiday let the other parent know in advance where you will be, how you will be travelling there, with flight details if applicable, and emergency contact details. When you arrive, let them know you have got there safely and ensure the children can speak to their other parent as often as they wish during the holiday period.
6. If required, please ensure that arrangements for handing over of passports is done in plenty of time for the holiday and on return. Again, try not to involve the children.
7. Respect the other parent’s time with the children, it’s important to the children that they have quality time with both of you.
8. Most importantly, take this time to enjoy spending quality time with the children during the holidays!

If you want to find out more about how Stone King’s Family & Mediation Team could support your family please contact Rebecca Eels or Chloe Taylor.