Summertime is just around the corner, and with the excitement of school being out of session you might find yourself wondering how to navigate the season without your kids. Custody schedules tend to look a bit different for each family, as children may stay at one home or the other for longer periods of time. Whatever the case may be, you should take the time to focus on you.
Thankfully, this time of year gives you a lot of opportunities to explore some self-care ideas that have been on your to-do list. Let’s explore a few ways to keep your mind off your empty house and to make sure your kids have a great summer no matter whose house they are at:
- Create a plan well ahead of time – It’s not too late to determine your summer custody schedule if you haven’t already. Children benefit from structure and routine, so letting them know early on where they will be during their summer vacation when can help to make transition times a little bit easier. This will also give your kids the chance to make plans with friends since they’ll know whose house they will be at.
- Think about summer camps – Co-parenting can take its toll on your mental well-being, and summer brings about a great opportunity to give yourself a break while treating your kids to a memorable experience. Explore local camps that offer daily or weekly activities for the kids, and utilize the time they are gone to catch up on your favorite book or go lay by the pool. They’ll come home from camp raving about how much fun they had, and you’ll feel replenished after having some time for self-care.
- Schedule your own mini vacation – If the kids are gone for weeks at a time, you might start to feel a little bit lonely if you don’t have anything on your calendar. Take advantage of the beautiful weather and gather some friends for a day trip to the beach or a hike on your favorite trail. If you have the time and resources, plan a long and relaxing getaway to your favorite destination. There’s no reason why you can’t have a good time when your kids are out of the house!
- Make each day fun – Summertime can mean lots of sleeping in and laying around the house exclaiming “I’m bored!!” or it can be filled with special activities and events. Make a list with your kids of fun things to do when they’re at your house; not only will it create great memories but it will help to break up the monotony of having them for so many days in a row without anything to keep them entertained. Things like making s’mores in the backyard or a movie marathon are inexpensive and great for kids of all ages.
We understand that sharing custody can be difficult for everyone involved, and we aim to make it as easy of a process as possible. If you have any questions about family law matters in Texas, contact Alexandra Geczi Family Law today. We wish you and yours a safe and fun summer!