Life always seems to interrupt the best laid plans. Even the most carefully constructed parenting plan will get interrupted when something outside the normal family routine or out of the control of a parent happens and causes a parent to be unavailable for parenting time. Perhaps it is a work trip or an out-of-town funeral. Anything unplanned that makes the normal schedule not work will create a need for adjustment.
The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines recognize that sometimes the parenting schedule needs to change. The parent who becomes aware of a conflict needs to notify the other parent as quickly as possible. Parents are to try to work together to make temporary adjustments to the parenting plan to accommodate the unexpected change.
If the adjustment to the parenting schedule causes one parent to lose some time with the children, that parent is entitled to make up time. The parent who will miss or has missed some parenting time should suggest make up time to the other parent. It’s important to schedule the make up time as quickly as possible. The purpose of make up time is to help maintain the parent-child connection while adjusting to the challenges of everyday life. This purpose is not served by “banking” a bunch of make up time to be cashed in much later. Children need frequent contact with parents and also need to return to the normal schedule as quickly as possible.
When suggesting make up time, don’t suggest dates which interrupt the other parent’s holiday time or school breaks. Also, don’t intentionally schedule over things already on the calendar. Changing the schedule is hard enough on everyone without adding additional conflict into the mix.
Remember, when your co-parent needs an adjustment, be flexible. Someday you will need an adjustment. It’s inevitable. Being flexible today can help you request flexibility tomorrow. Never lose sight that parenting time is ultimately about the kids who just want to know where they will be spending their nights and also want everyone to get along peacefully.
