Fathers who don't have custody of their children - either because of a divorce or a breakup with the mother - have a difficult time of it during the school year.
Seeing your kids every other weekend is artificial.
It doesn't allow enough time to really get to know each other, and there's too much time in between to develop any kind of continuity.
There's almost always problems with homework - either it isn't given, or it's dumped on dad, who has to spend all weekend working on it, instead of his relationships with his children.
And those midweek visits! Pick the child up after school, drive home, unpack - eat, watch TV, do homework - pack up, drive back, have big confrontation with mom.
Again, everything seems rushed and artificial.
But SUMMER! Aaaaah! Kids are out of school.
Work slows down a little.
And Dad gets 2 weeks vacation! Wouldn't it be WONDERFUL to spend 2 uninterrupted weeks with your kids.
Just you and them.
No hassles with mom or new boyfriend or husband.
No looking at the clock, counting down until it's time-to-take-back.
Actually planning activities with your children and KNOWING they will happen.
Sadly, too many fathers are denied this opportunity.
Sometimes, they are just flat out denied contact with their kids.
Or Mom puts the children in every imagineable summer activity.
Or "sudden plans" come up.
Whatever it is - Dad doesn't get to see his kids during the summer.
That's wrong.
And it's harmful.
What can you do about it? Go to Court.
1.
Some states require a parent to pick the summer visitation dates on or before a specific date (like April 1 or May 1).
It is a MYTH that if Dad misses his deadline that he waives summer visitation! All it means is that he doesn't AUTOMATICALLY get the dates he wants.
You should STILL try to hit your deadline, but if you miss it, you STILL get whatever TIME you are entitled to.
This is a PETITION TO ENFORCE PARENTING TIME.
2.
Many states have statutes that say that Dad can NOT be denied visitation if he is regularly paying child support.
And with child support coming straight out of paychecks more and more, YOU probably are paying your support regularly.
If your ex says flat out you won't get time this summer, file a PETITION FOR INJUNCTION to force visitation.
3.
Many states also say that parenting time trumps EVERYTHING.
Summer camp, cheerleading camp, family trips - EVERYTHING.
So if your ex has loaded the kids' summer with every imagineable activity - most of fall squarely during YOUR time with the kids - file a PETITION FOR CONTEMPT and a PETITION FOR INJUNCTION, to get your UNINTERRUPTED time with your kids.
These are YOUR kids, and you don't get a second shot at raising them.