How to Work Summer Parenting Time Due to Covid

                

The summer of 2020 has been a very different summer. School cancellations, camp cancellations. travel restrictions with continued concerns about COVID-19. Summer parenting time plans with your kids may look very different this year.  Some children or parents may be auto-immune compromised or of the population more likely to have more symptoms or more severe symptoms if the virus strikes. Things have changed for now.

Are you missing out on time with your kids because of this? Try these ideas for restoring lost parenting time.

Ask for more parenting time and work with each other:

Sometimes, what appears to be the simplest solution, actually is. If you lost out on parenting time during the spring due to Covid-19 or you just want to see more of your kids after all the stress of the past few months, be open with your ex about your desire for restored or added time — perhaps an extra weekend at your home in July and August, or a few extra evenings together throughout the summer.

You may be surprised to learn that your ex welcomes you having more parenting time due to their own need to get back to work or because they really need a breather after months of homeschooling.

Create a new and fun holiday over the summer

If you missed out on Easter or Passover or even July 4^th look to making your own holiday weekend or Labor Day Weekend, even if you don’t normally have the kids for the holiday.

Go on a weeklong “staycation,” or simply work in an extra day each week over the summer. If your parenting time this past spring was radically different due to COVID-19, calculate missed time and create a plan for how to restore it.

Work out a mutual “Social Distancing” plan for safe parenting time

One added reassurance that may help ease the mind of the other parent in being more flexible with parenting time is to offer to establish a “social distancing” plan. This can be a simple written document in which you both agree to follow recommended local guidelines that both of you and your child will a wear mask as appropriate when you go to the store or other enclosed public spaces and whenever social distancing is not possible.  Include that you both to agree to follow hygiene practices such as frequent hand washing. You may also wish to agree to limited exposure to those outside a “family bubble”.

This plan can provide peace of mind that you both agree how to best keep your child safe.

A social distancing plan should not be used as a threat against withholding parenting time. Both of you should agree on doing it and on the terms.

 More Virtual Time

When all else fails, technology is an option. One great option which has become very widespread has been the explosion in opportunities to connect with others online. You and your child can play online games together, watch a Netflix movie together, and even sign up for fun activities together such as group exercise or cooking classes.

Or you can keep it simple! Spend a few minutes before your children go to bed on Facetime, Zoom or on Skype can mean the all the difference to them if they are missing you and vice versa. While technology is no substitute for physically being with your kids, it is a good alternative for when logistics just won’t work for in-person time.

Summer is short and even with the new concerns of our time, it can still be a special summer to remember with your kids.

Robyn D. Weisman, Esq.

Divorce Mediation & Family Services of New York, Ltd.

631-465-2140