Summer is winding down and many parents want to schedule some fun in the sun before their kids have to head back to class.

For parents who are recently divorced, vacation scheduling can suddenly feel challenging and spur of the moment getaways nearly impossible. Successful coparenting requires clear communication to help both parents ensure their children have enjoyable family experiences without parental disputes.

Starting that conversation the first summer after your divorce can be awkward. However, a few simple pointers from the Pittsburgh child custody attorneys at Pollock Begg can ease the process and pave the way for more flexible scheduling and a better coparenting relationship in the future:

1. Consult Your Custody Agreement Before you make reservations, consult your custody agreement which likely outlines vacation stipulations such as how many consecutive days each parent can take their kids, how far they can travel or how much advance notice one parent must give the other before trips. Some agreements require mandatory check-ins between kids and the other parent during trips. Consulting the custody agreement’s terms should be your first step in planning a trip. It’s crucial that you adhere to those rules out of respect for the other parent and to verify that your plan meets legal requirements.

2. Pick Your Dates Early Choose your dates as early as possible and communicate them to the other parent. This ensures the other parent is given clear, advanced notice before the trip, and it helps them know which dates are still available for them to plan their own vacation. Picking dates early benefits your kids by preventing disputes over a lack transparency or accidentally overlapping vacation plans.

3. Be Considerate When scheduling vacation dates, be considerate of everyone’s schedules. For example, if your kid plays a sport, make sure your trip doesn’t conflict with their training schedule. If you know that the other parent has commitments, like a wedding, funeral or family reunion, avoid scheduling trips for those dates. This shows the other parent that you respect their time and put your child’s interests before your own.

4. Clearly Communicate the Details Telling your coparent where and when you will be traveling helps them feel secure about your child’s safety and protects you from potential legal disputes. But communicating with your coparent is your responsibility, not your child’s. Directly communicating with your coparent will guarantee they have all the information they need while keeping your child from feeling like the middleman. Clearly communicating the details of your trip also helps the other parent know what your child will need. If you’re going to the beach, they’ll know to pack sunscreen and a swimsuit. If you’re flying, they’ll know your kid needs their passport. If your coparent knows how to prepare your child for the trip, it makes it easier for both of you to ensure your child has all the things they need to enjoy it.

5. Be Flexible There’s a lot that can go wrong when you’re traveling. Extend a bit of grace to your coparent when things don’t go according to plan. Flights get delayed and weather and traffic can wreak havoc on schedules. There are many variables your coparent can’t control, and it’s best to have an understanding attitude rather than starting an argument.

If conflicts do arise, be positive about your coparent’s vacation plans around your kid. You wouldn’t want your ex to negatively influence your relationship with your child, so do the same for them. Keep conflicts between you and the other parent, keep your kids out of the center.

Transparent communication goes a long way in creating a harmonious coparenting relationship. You may want to consider setting up a time for your kids to talk to their other parent during the trip. Staying in touch can ease separation anxieties for both parent and child and it’s good for your kids to know you value their relationship with the other parent.

Ultimately, both you and your coparent want what’s best for your kids. You each want to give them an experience that they’ll remember fondly. Cooperating with your coparent is the best way to make sure that your child has a safe and fun vacation.

For more help in navigating tough custody issues, trust Pollock Begg’s team of Pittsburgh custody lawyers for guidance. Contact Pollock Begg today to connect with an attorney who can help you create the ideal parenting plan for your family.