Agree school holiday arrangements early to minimise conflict
Sadly, many marriages and relationships don’t work out. This can be even more difficult when there are children involved.
When making arrangements for your children during separation and divorce, the focus must be on what is best for them. In Australia, both parents are encouraged to take an active role in their children’s lives. This means that even after a separation or divorce, both parents are involved in making decisions about children’s long-term future and in sharing parenting arrangements.
In most cases, the children will continue to spend most of their time with the parent who has been their most ‘hands on’ carer, and will spend a substantial amount of time time with the other parent. Alternatively, the children may spend equal time between both parents’ homes.
Most parents agree that children will share school holidays and special occasions, such as children’s and parents birthdays, special family days, and other special days such as Christmas and Easter, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, between both parents.
However on a day-to-day basis, negotiating school holidays can be difficult following separation or divorce, particularly when parents are juggling their own work commitments and perhaps even new relationships. It is important to ensure these arrangements include time with grandparents, who are often forgotten during the messy process of separation and divorce.
It can also be difficult where there is ongoing conflict between the parents. By agreeing arrangements in advance, the potential for conflict is minimised, and parents and children can move forward more easily.
Where there is ongoing conflict between parents, it may not be practical for parents to collect the children from each other’s homes for holidays. In these situations, it may be useful to arrange a neutral pick-up point such as the school or children’s activities. This will assist in minimising possible conflicts in front of the children.
Family breakdown is never easy, however can be less difficult if arrangements are agreed in advance with the children’s wellbeing in mind.
To read more about what solutions might work for you and your children during separation and divorce, read our free e-book How You Can Protect Yourself and Your Children During Family Breakdown today.
For further reassurance, you may want to speak with one of our experienced family lawyers.
Kelly Batey and Bruce Batey of Bateys Family Lawyers have years of experience in family law, and have assisted hundreds of families through the difficult process of separation and divorce.