For parents who travel frequently for work, maintaining a strong and consistent relationship with their children can be challenging. Parenting time schedules must be flexible enough to accommodate travel obligations while ensuring that children receive the care and attention they need from both parents.
Children thrive on routine, so even when one parent’s work schedule is unpredictable, efforts should be made to provide a sense of stability. This may involve:
- Establishing a primary schedule with built-in flexibility for travel.
- Using predictable patterns, such as scheduling time with the traveling parent on weekends or during school breaks.
- Coordinating in advance to minimize last-minute disruptions.
If the traveling parent has an irregular schedule, creating a base parenting plan with contingency options can help. For instance, if work trips typically last three to five days, the plan can allow for make-up parenting time when the parent returns.
Taking action
A well-crafted parenting plan can help parents avoid disputes while helping to ensure that both parents maintain a strong role in their child’s life. Some strategies for flexibility include:
- Swapping days when necessary: If travel interferes with scheduled parenting time, the parent may be allowed to make up the time on another agreed-upon date.
- Virtual parenting time: Video calls, texts and emails can help the traveling parent stay involved even when physically absent.
- Extended parenting time during non-travel periods: If work travel is seasonal, the parent may receive additional time during periods when they are home more often.
- Right of first refusal: If the traveling parent has to miss their scheduled time, the other parent may have the first opportunity to provide care rather than relying on third-party childcare.
For the benefit of both parents and their children alike, successful co-parenting with a demanding travel schedule requires clear and respectful communication. The traveling parent should provide as much notice as possible regarding trips and work to coordinate changes in advance. Respecting the traveling parent’s rights and needs should be balanced with the non-traveling parent’s and needs. In doing so, both parents can be more effective at being there for their kids and maintaining a healthy co-parenting relationship.
