The Challenges of Divorce

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Summer often brings uncertainty and logistical challenges that can increase co-parenting stress.

Planning ahead can reduce conflict and create a more predictable experience for children.

Focusing on your child's experience, not parental competition, can make summer more enjoyable for all.

For children, summer often means freedom: no homework, no early alarms, and more time to relax, travel, and spend time with family and friends. For co-parents, however, summer can bring an entirely different set of emotions.

The school year provides structure. Summer removes much of that structure and replaces it with camps, vacations, family gatherings, changing work schedules, and a host of decisions that require coordination between households. Even co-parents who communicate well during the school year may find themselves feeling stressed as summer approaches.

Questions often arise quickly: Who is paying for camp? Can a planned vacation be changed because of a family event? What happens if a child gets sick before travel? How much information should be shared about travel plans?

These issues are not just logistical. They can trigger anxiety, particularly for parents who already struggle with communication, trust, or conflict after divorce.

Why Summer Feels Different

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