Divorced with Children: What To Do During Summer Break
21 June 2022
Being divorced with children is becoming far more common these days. One of the most common concerns that divorcing parents have is what to do with kids during summer break. This may have been manageable when married as there could be a trade-off in duties, but things have changed.
Those who are divorcing or divorced with children experience different situations without that partner around. However, with the separation, the expectations regarding that summer parenting schedule have changed.
Being Divorced with Children Causes More Challenges
As mentioned previously, it might have been easier to manage summertime duties when married. When things change in the wake of separation, and like it or not, employers are not always cooperative when it comes to time off.
This is why sitting down with your co-parent and mapping out the summer break is imperative. Granted, plans can and do go awry, but having a plan in place at least helps ease the stress that can come with situations like this.
Having things planned out far in advance can help save a ton of stress. Consider having things planned out as far in advance as February as this can be immensely helpful. Allowing time to look at schedules and make the necessary changes without having to do so last minute.
A few Activities to Consider When Divorced with Children
Finding things to do with your children after a separation can be difficult too. You want to create a fun experience so that they aren’t left to think about the separation itself. This is a great opportunity for a checklist of things:
- Visit the grandparents
- Set up a tent in the backyard
- Petting zoos
- Go to a beach
- Take a trip to your local library
- Hide and Seek in the dark
- Fly a kite
- Visit an outdoor swimming pool
- Run in the sprinkler
- Go hiking in a Provincial park
- Berry picking
- Have a picnic
- Feed the ducks
- Plant flowers or a garden
- Go to the farmer's market
- Set up a lemonade stand
- Visit an Antique store
- Sidewalk chalk drawings
- Ride bikes
- Blow bubbles
- Learn to play badminton
- Visit your Community Centre or Community Park for a list of activities
- More fun activities for kids of all ages!
Even if you don’t have the budget in mind to travel or take trips, there are plenty of communities that offer inexpensive or free activities that are catered to families. Kids want to spend time with their parents. It isn’t about an exotic location or spending a lot of money; they just want time with you.
Summer Camp is Perfect for Being Divorced with Children
A great way to help kids through the process of a divorce is summer camp. This is because it gives kids the opportunity to socialize and to spend time with friends in a safe environment. Not only that, a kid can learn valuable skills, participate in sports, and generally partake in activities that they wouldn’t at home.
Summer camps can be great for those who are divorced with children. It offers the children a chance to escape the tense situation while having a fun time with friends.
It is important to take the time to talk to the director of the camp should you have any questions. There are some camps that have a religious aspect to them, and it would be essential to know before committing your child to that camp.
Most of all, summer camps are a great way to break up the monotony that can come along with the summer. This is especially bad for children who are going through divorce situations in their homes. Give your kids a chance to just be kids.
Put the Focus on the Children
Whatever you decide on doing, make sure that you give your kids a chance to just have fun. Let them have fun without having to be reminded of divorce. This can be easier said than done. However, this is something that will prepare them to move forward with the process in a far less painful way.
Ultimately, it is important that you put the focus on the children. It's not only a great way to put aside any stresses you may be experiencing, but you can limit the stress that the kids feel.
What matters most is that you are doing things together as a family. That is what the kids will remember when they think back on times with each of their parents. What you do in that time is only the icing on the cake.