Creating a Summer Parenting Schedule That Works for Everyone
Summer can feel like a breath of fresh air for kids, but for parents who share custody, it often brings a mix of excitement and stress. School routines disappear, camps and vacations pop up, and suddenly the year's predictable rhythm is gone. If you’re co-parenting, that shift can stir up worries about fairness, missed time, and how changes might affect your children.
You’re not alone in feeling this way. Many parents struggle to balance flexibility with stability during the summer months, especially when emotions or past disagreements remain. However, with thoughtful planning and open communication, though, it’s possible to create a summer parenting schedule that supports your kids and respects both parents’ needs.
Located in St. Paul, Minnesota, and serving clients throughout the Twin Cities Metro area, our attorneys at Johnson Bigelbach Law, PLLC regularly help parents work toward schedules that feel workable and child-focused. Reach out to us to talk through your situation and get support as you plan for the months ahead.
Why Summer Schedules Create Conflict
Summer parenting schedules tend to cause friction because they disrupt what everyone has grown used to during the school year. When children aren’t tied to a classroom calendar, parents may have very different expectations about how time should be divided.
Summer also often brings special opportunities that don’t happen during the rest of the year. Family reunions, travel, sports camps, and sleep-away programs can all overlap with regular parenting time. Without clear guidelines, these plans can feel more like surprises rather than shared decisions.
Children also experience the effects of scheduling tension, even when adults try to shield them from it. Uncertainty about where they’ll be from week to week can cause a child to feel anxious, especially younger ones who rely on routine to feel secure. Older children may feel torn if they sense that one parent is unhappy with the plan.
Recognizing why summer is different is an important first step. When both parents acknowledge these pressure points, it becomes easier to focus on solutions rather than on blame.
Your Responsibility to Prioritize Your Child’s Needs
Before discussing dates and calendars, it helps to step back and think about what your children actually need during the summer. While adults may focus on fairness or convenience, kids are often more concerned with feeling connected, relaxed, and free to enjoy their break from school.
Children benefit from knowing what to expect, even if the schedule looks different from the rest of the year. Having a clear plan in place can help them feel settled and reduce anxiety about potential transitions. Similarly, summer should still feel like summer. Over-scheduling or rigid arrangements can take away from the fun and rest kids look forward to.
When considering your children’s needs, it’s helpful to reflect on their ages, personalities, and activities. A teenager with a summer job will need a different arrangement than a preschooler who thrives on daily structure. Being honest about these differences can lead to a schedule that fits your family, rather than forcing everyone into a one-size-fits-all plan.
Common Summer Scheduling Options Parents Should Consider
There’s no single “right” way to handle summer parenting time. Families often choose arrangements that reflect their past schedules, work demands, and children’s activities. Some popular summer parenting time arrangements that might work for your situation include:
Alternating weeks with each parent
Setting extended blocks of time for vacations
Maintaining the school-year schedule with minor adjustments
Splitting weekdays and weekends differently than during the school year
Each of these approaches has benefits and drawbacks. Alternating weeks can reduce transitions but may feel like a long stretch for younger children. Extended vacation time allows for travel and special experiences, yet it requires careful coordination. Keeping the school-year schedule may offer familiarity, though it might not take full advantage of summer flexibility.
After reviewing these options, consider how each would look in real life. Consider transportation, childcare, and how your children handle transitions. Talking through these details can help prevent misunderstandings once summer is underway. Ultimately, the goal is to choose an option that supports your kids while fitting realistically into both parents’ lives.
Planning Ahead to Reduce Stress and Disputes
One of the most effective ways to lower conflict is to plan early. Waiting until summer is already approaching can make every decision feel rushed and emotionally charged. Starting the conversation months in advance gives everyone time to think, adjust, and compromise.
Clear communication is key during this process. Sharing any proposed dates, travel plans, and activity schedules upfront can prevent last-minute disagreements. It also shows respect for the other parent’s time and both parents' roles in your children’s lives.
When you’re planning, it helps to put agreements in writing, even if you generally communicate well. Written plans reduce confusion and provide a concrete reference point for later questions. Some helpful planning steps to consider include:
Review your current court order or parenting plan
List out important summer dates and deadlines
Discuss childcare and camp logistics early
Agree on how schedule changes will be handled
Once you’ve worked through these steps, take time to review the plan together. Making adjustments before summer starts is much easier than trying to fix problems once your kids are already moving between homes. Thoughtful planning can turn summer from a source of stress into a season your family actually enjoys.
How an Attorney Can Help
Sometimes, despite everyone’s best efforts, summer scheduling disagreements can't be resolved easily. Old conflicts may resurface, or communication may break down entirely. When that happens, legal guidance can make a meaningful difference.
A parenting plan or court order often includes provisions for the summer, but those terms may feel outdated or unclear as children grow older. Working with an experienced family law attorney can help you understand your options and explore changes that may better fit your current circumstances.
At Johnson Bigelbach Law, PLLC, we work alongside parents to help them address summer scheduling concerns in ways that support their children and reduce ongoing conflict. Whether that means clarifying an existing order or discussing possible modifications, our goal is to help you move forward with confidence and clarity.
Explore Your Parenting Options with an Experienced Family Law Attorney
If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed about scheduling parenting time during the summer, you don’t have to handle it on your own. A thoughtful approach, backed by legal insight, can help bring structure and calm to what might otherwise feel stressful.
Creating a summer parenting schedule isn’t just about dividing days on a calendar. It’s about building a plan that lets your children enjoy their break while maintaining strong relationships with both parents. At Johnson Bigelbach Law, PLLC, we proudly serve parents in St. Paul, Minnesota, and throughout the Twin Cities Metro area.
If you’re preparing for summer and want guidance tailored to your family’s needs, reach out to us today to schedule a consultation.
