Separated parents and summer holidays: practical tips to plan ahead

For many families, the summer holidays are a time to relax and recharge. Separated parents may not always find it straightforward to agree on childcare arrangements during long school holidays periods.

With a little forward planning and a focus on co‑operation, many difficulties can be avoided. Below we set out some practical tips to help separated parents plan summer holiday arrangements smoothly and explain when legal support may be helpful.

Start discussions early

Summer holidays often involve childcare (be that holiday clubs, grandparents or childminders) and time off work. Leaving arrangements until the last minute can put unnecessary pressure on both parents and increase the risk of disagreement.

Starting discussions early allows:

• more flexibility around dates
• time to consider the children’s wishes and routines
• space to resolve issues calmly rather than in a rush

Early discussion also makes it more likely that both parents can secure leave from work and make travel arrangements at reasonable cost.

What does Scots law say?

Under Scots law, parents usually have equal parental responsibilities and rights. This includes the responsibility to make decisions in the child’s best interests.

In practical terms:

• there is no automatic rule about how school holidays must be split
• parents are expected to try to agree arrangements between themselves
• the child’s welfare is always the most important consideration

Focus on what works best for the children

When reaching agreement as to arrangements is difficult, it can help to step back and refocus on the children’s needs. Courts, solicitors and mediators will always prioritise the welfare of the child and parents are encouraged to do the same.

Points to consider include:

• the child(ren)’s age(s) and ability to cope with travel
• maintaining routines where possible
• ensuring meaningful time with both parents
• avoiding arrangements that create long periods without contact

Flexibility and compromise from both sides can make a real difference.

Consider mediation or collaborative approaches

Where parents are struggling to agree, mediation or collaboration can be very effective ways of resolving issues without escalating conflict.

These approaches:

• encourage constructive communication
• keep decision‑making with the parents rather than the court
• are usually quicker and less expensive than court proceedings
• help preserve longer‑term co‑parenting relationships

Mediation is often well‑suited to resolving practical holiday issues, such as dividing time, agreeing handover arrangements or discussing travel abroad.

Get agreements in writing

Even where parents have a good working relationship, misunderstandings can arise, particularly as plans change or time passes.

Any agreement reached, whether directly, through mediation or collaboratively, should be:

• clearly recorded in writing
• reviewed and formalised by a solicitor where appropriate

Having holiday arrangements properly documented provides clarity, reduces the risk of future disputes and gives both parents confidence about what has been agreed.

Court action should be a last resort

Court proceedings are sometimes unavoidable, particularly where there are concerns about a child’s welfare or one parent will not engage. However, court action should generally be a last resort.

Court proceedings:

• can be expensive and time‑consuming
• often increase conflict between parents
• take decision‑making out of the family’s hands

Where agreement can be reached with support, the outcome is often more practical and better suited to the child’s needs.

How we can help

Specialist family law advice can support parents to understand their rights and responsibilities under Scots law, explore mediation or collaborative options and record or formalise agreements where necessary. For more information, please get in touch with our family lawyers.