Summer Visitation for Non Custodial Parent

What is summer visitation for non custodial parent? As parents, summer vacations most often conjure images of family time spent together; however, for families where one parent has sole custody and the child is spending extended time in one household or living arrangement, summer visitation can present many challenges for both custodial and non-custodial parents.

Visitation with a non-custodial parent must be considered carefully to ensure that it fits into the larger parental plan concerning their children’s health, safety, wellbeing and development. As an attorney or lawyer charged with structuring such arrangements between parties involved in court decisions regarding guardianship or custody matters, understanding what types of visitation options should be included during this season will help you better protect your clients’ best interests.

Keep on reading for summer visitation for non custodial parent.

What is Summer Visitation for Non Custodial Parent?

Summer visitation is a period of allotted time that non-custodial parents have to spend with their children. This could be anything from a few hours over the summer months, a weekend, or even an extended trip away together. The summer visitation plan should be tailored to the individual family’s needs and preferences in order to create an optimal summer experience for all involved.

Most of the time, a noncustodial parent is entitled to a visitation schedule that includes overnights every other weekend, one weeknight per week, and an extended summer visit.

Factors Affecting Schedules in Summer Visitation

When it comes to crafting a parenting time schedule, there is a wide range of factors that must be considered, such as:

• Distance — Long-distance travel causes difficulties proportional to the distance involved. It is easy to schedule visits when the distance can be driven. When flying is required, especially when the child is too small to fly unaccompanied, it is important to determine who will travel with or transport the child, who will pay for travel expenditures, who will be responsible for making travel arrangements, where the visiting parent will stay, etc.
• Facilities – Can the non-custodial parent offer adequate care and recreation for the children? Does this parent’s work schedule allow for quality time with the children? Is this parent able to arrange daycare, camp, or other supervised activities for the children while he or she is at work?
• Age – Because infants and toddlers are prone to forgetfulness, they must visit each parent as frequently as possible. Teenagers want a timetable that accommodates their social lives and extracurricular activities.
• Each parent’s schedule and lifestyle – Consider the work schedule, social life, and other obligations of each parent. Does the parent have a new partner, and what is the relationship between the partner and the children?

The frequency and timetable of visiting should be determined by the child’s age, his or her needs, and what is convenient for the parents. During summer and school holidays, the kid may be able to live with the non-residential parent and visit the residential parent.

What are Considerations When Planning Summer Visitation?

When planning summer visitation for non custodial parent and their children, several factors should be taken into consideration. These include:

1. How much summer time the custodial parent has available to share with the non-custodial parent.

2. The summer activities that the child would like to participate in with both parents.

3. The physical and emotional needs of the child and potential impact of summer visitation on their overall wellbeing.

4. Any relevant travel restrictions or parental agreements regarding location, duration, and supervision during summer visitation periods.

5. Any summer camps, sports activities, or other events that the child may be enrolled in and wants to attend with their non-custodial parent.

Several Summer Schedule Arrangements

• Replacing the summer break schedule with a rotation of time between parents. During the summer, any residential schedule may be substituted, provided that parents make provisions for the child’s supervision. For instance, if the typical visitation arrangement is an alternate weekend schedule in which the child resides with the mother and visits the father every other weekend, then the child may spend the summer living with the father and visiting the mother every other weekend.
• Giving one parent all of the time during the summer break schedule. This strategy is especially effective when there is a significant distance between parents’ homes, making it difficult for children to see the non-residential parent frequently during the school year. The traditionally non-residential parent is now permitted to spend the entire summer or a portion of the summer with the child full-time.
• Creating a new residential schedule for the summer break. For instance, parents can take turns having the child every two to three weeks throughout the summer.
• Using vacation time. Parents are permitted to maintain their normal routine throughout the summer, but are permitted to take a block of scheduled time to take their child on vacation.
• Alternating years. Schedules are not have to be etched in stone. As long as parents are in agreement, there can be two alternating schedules, or schedules can vary across years.

To guarantee that everyone can remain in harmony, it’s a great idea to collaborate on an organized custody schedule and put it into action. By documenting this calendar and sharing copies with both parents, there won’t be any uncertainty regarding the time each parent will have with the children.

What If One Parent Has An Expanded Standard Possession Order?

Although the notices and beginning and end times remain unaltered in an Expanded Standard Possession Order, there are slight modifications to the possession time length.

For the non-custodial parent, an Expanded Standard Possession Order allows for up to 42 days of summer visitation. This must be divided into two separate periods with each being at least seven days long. If notification is not given by April 1st, then that same period will become June 15th – July 27th as a default timeframe.

If the non-custodial parent has extended summer possession that exceeds 30 days, then the custodial parent is allowed to select two separate weekends instead of one for their own period with the child(ren). This option mirrors what a Standard Possession Order would typically allow.

To ensure this opportunity remains available, it’s essential for the custodial parent to provide notification no later than April 15th; otherwise, they may have waived any potential weekend possessions during that time.

As extended summer custody, the custodial parent can select 21 days when the non-custodial parent may not take possession of the child(ren). However, this is only allowed if they provide notice of those dates by April 15th and that these times do not interfere with their own extended summer custody.

How to Prep Your Kids for this Visitation

This is the important things we would like to deliver to you in this blog:

1. Take the time to arrange an organizing session with your former partner.

Before having any summer visitation for non custodial parent, you need to schedule with your ex first.

Although it may be tricky to have a friendly dialogue with your ex if you don’t get along, making an effort to communicate positively can benefit your children. If both parents strive for beneficial co-parenting relations, the kids will reap the rewards in the long run.

To create a harmonious environment, it is important to form an agreement on household rules and expectations for behavior. It’s perfectly acceptable if your ex has different approaches when it comes to minor issues (i.e., having dessert post dinner each night at their house versus weekends only for yours), but by coming together on the major topics, you can both maintain peace in your home.

If it has been a while since your ex visited the children, or they don’t normally spend much time with them, make sure to bring them up to speed on all of the progress that’s happened in their lives over this past year!

Share any new teenage habits such as bedtimes and dietary preferences. Afterall, being informed is key – so update your ex before meeting back up with the kids again.

2. Monitor your demeanor, as it can have a colossal impact on how your kids perceive the circumstances.

Earlier in this article, I discussed the fact that it is normal for your children to feel unease about having to spend time away from their home.

When these conversations arise, make sure you take the time to hear out your child’s worries and then try to provide a positive rationale for visiting the other parent.

3. Encourage your children to express their feelings, but make sure these conversations don’t become a place for complaints and dissatisfaction. 

If you feel that your children could benefit from speaking to a therapist, it is advised to go for some sessions with a mental health specialist.

In addition, gathering together with other families who have experienced similar hardships can be immensely beneficial. This allows the entire family to gain knowledge and insight from those who have overcome obstacles like these before them.

4. Encourage your children to understand that there is nothing wrong with having different rules between the two households.

Point out to your kids that, although each of their teachers had distinct classroom rules, all the school policies remained consistent. Talk with them about both the advantages and disadvantages this brought when it happened in the past, and explain how they will likely experience something similar throughout life too.

Don’t forget to emphasize that you expect them to follow the rules at your ex’s place, just like they would abide by yours.

5. It is essential to prepare your children for the fact that you will both miss each other, but this offers a valuable chance to demonstrate how to handle these emotions.

Allocate specific time in your daily calendar to stay connected with your child through regular phone calls. Determine the length of each call ahead of time, so that you can ensure quality conversations and make meaningful connections.

Help your child foster a healthy relationship with their other parent by providing them the opportunity to openly discuss their emotions. While it’s true that somebody else may not respond in precisely the same way as you would, it can still be beneficial for your kid to express themselves and receive support from both sides of parents.

Even if your child is relatively young, make sure to send a source of comfort with them. Maybe it’s their favorite stuffed animal or pillow, or even a beloved blanket — anything that can provide an extra layer of familiarity in unfamiliar surroundings. It’ll bring peace and assurance for both you and your little one!

6. Empower your children with the knowledge and skills necessary to handle any situation when they are at their other parent’s home, no matter how fearful or uncertain they may be.

Let your child know that it is alright to express their emotions and worries with the other parent. Moreover, ensure they take along some of their favorite items or activities for entertainment when visiting the ex’s home.

7. Avoid emphasizing the exciting activities you will undertake while they are away, as this may evoke feelings of jealousy or resentment.

While it’s understandable that you may have plans while your kids are absent, it wouldn’t be reasonable to make them feel like they should prefer being with you over their other parent.

Inform your children of the changes that are coming, but also emphasize all of the exciting activities they’ll be able to experience with their other parent.

Conclusion

Summer visitation for non custodial parent can be an emotionally trying time, but with the right support and preparation it can be a positive experience. Whether you are new to summer visits or have had them for years, make sure to research your state’s summer visitation laws and take advantage of any available resources.

Additionally, consider strategies such as staying in touch with your child and providing them with a source of comfort, to make summer visits as comfortable as possible.

With these tips, summer visitation can be an opportunity for kids to learn and grow while still feeling connected to both parents.

FAQs of Summer Visitation for Non Custodial Parent

Is it the standard visitation for non custodial parents different from states?

Yes. The summer visitation for non custodial parents may differ from state to state. It is important to be aware of the specific summer visitation laws in your area, as they are subject to change over time.

Are there any resources available for summer visits?

Yes. There are a number of online and offline resources that can provide assistance and guidance for summer visits. These include counseling services, support groups and summer programs that can help families navigate summer visitation arrangements. Additionally, many states provide court-mandated summer visitation guidelines as well.

Are there any strategies to make summer visits easier?

Yes. There are a number of strategies you can employ to make summer visits easier for both you and your children. These include helping your child feel comfortable in the new environment, communicating regularly with the other parent, and providing your child with a source of comfort while they are away.

Additionally, try to avoid emphasizing exciting activities you will do while your kids are away, as this can evoke feelings of jealousy or resentment. Instead, focus on the fun things your kids will be doing with their other parent.

Why should I know summer visitation for non custodial parent?

It is important to be aware of summer visitation laws in order to ensure you and your child have a positive experience during summer visits. Additionally, summer visits provide children with the opportunity to learn and grow while still feeling connected to both parents. Knowing summer visitation for non custodial parent can help you plan for this time, as well as make it easier for your child to transition between homes.

What is the best schedule for summer visitation for non custodial parent and theri kids?

The best summer visitation schedule will depend on the specific needs of your family. It is important to take into account factors such as age, school schedules, and other commitments when creating a summer visitation schedule. Additionally, it is important to be flexible with summer visitation arrangements as sudden changes can arise due to personal circumstances or unexpected events. Consider discussing summer visitation options with the other parent to ensure that both you and your children have a summer experience that is enjoyable and rewarding.

How can I make summer visits easier on my kids?

One of the best ways to make summer visits easier for your kids is to provide them with a source of comfort while they are away. This could include items like a special toy or blanket, photos of family and friends back home, or even simple activities such as writing letters to their other parent. Additionally, it is important to stay in regular communication with the other parent during summer visits. This allows both parents to be aware of any issues that may arise and work together to ensure summer visits are enjoyable for everyone involved.