There's a particular kind of dread that creeps up on co-parents around late June. The school gates close, the routine that held everything together evaporates, and suddenly you've got six long weeks to fill — across two households, with two sets of work commitments, holiday plans, and childcare logistics to juggle.
It doesn't have to be that way. With a bit of planning (and the right tools), summer can be the season your children actually enjoy — not the one where they feel like a parcel being passed between delivery drivers. Here's how to make it work.
Start With the Right Schedule for Your Family
There's no one-size-fits-all summer arrangement, but these are the models that working co-parents tend to land on:
Week-On, Week-Off
The simplest option: each parent gets a full week at a time. Fewer handovers, predictable rhythm, and each parent can plan proper activities — day trips, short breaks, even a week abroad. Works best for school-age children who handle longer separations well.
Alternating Fortnights
Each parent takes a two-week block, then swaps. Brilliant if you want to take the kids on a proper holiday without negotiating mid-trip handovers. The downside: two weeks without seeing your child is a long stretch — video calls help bridge the gap.
2-2-5-5 (The Balanced Approach)
Two days with Mum, two days with Dad, then five days each. It keeps contact frequent and works well for younger children who struggle with longer separations. Requires parents to live reasonably close and coordinate well on activities.
The Golden Rules of Summer Co-Parenting
1. Lock in the Big Dates Early
Family weddings, festivals, that week in Cornwall Mum's parents booked in January — the non-negotiables need pinning down first. Everything else fits around them. Aim to have your summer skeleton agreed by the May half-term. If you're reading this in July and haven't done it yet: do it tonight.
2. Share the Load on Childcare
Summer holiday clubs, sports camps, grandparents — childcare in the summer costs a fortune if you're booking it separately across two households. Coordinate. One parent researches the options, the other handles the bookings. Split the costs through Larkling's expense tracker so there's no "who paid for what" argument in August.
3. Build in "Nothing Days"
The temptation is to fill every day with activities so the kids don't get bored — but children need downtime as much as adults do. Agree with your co-parent that some days are just for pyjamas, picnics in the garden, and watching films. It costs nothing and gives everyone a breather.
4. Holiday Abroad? Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
If one parent wants to take the children abroad, they typically need the other parent's written consent (or a court order). Don't spring this on your co-parent two weeks before departure. Discuss it months ahead, share the itinerary, and confirm contact arrangements while the children are away. A quick message via Larkling with flight details and hotel info keeps everyone reassured.
5. Respect That Both Parents Want Proper Summer Time
It's easy to slip into thinking "I'm the fun parent" or "they're just doing childcare while I do the real parenting." Summer shouldn't be one parent getting all the beach days while the other gets all the rainy Tuesdays. If the schedule feels lopsided, say so — calmly, early, and with a proposed solution.
What If You Can't Agree?
If you and your co-parent are stuck on the summer schedule, mediation is a far cheaper and faster route than court. Many UK mediators offer online sessions, and the MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting) is often the required first step before any court application anyway.
For day-to-day summer logistics — who's doing the Monday drop-off, whether swimming lessons are still on, whose turn it is to buy sun cream — keep it in the app. Written communication is clearer than verbal, harder to misremember, and keeps the focus on practicalities rather than old grievances.
One Calendar. Zero Confusion. 🐦
Larkling's shared calendar, messaging, and expense tracker are completely free. Plan your summer schedule together, track holiday club costs, and keep everyone — including the kids — on the same page. No subscription, ever.
Get Larkling FreeFurther reading: Co-Parenting Schedules by Age | Co-Parenting Communication Rules | Co-Parenting on a Budget | Larkling Blog