If your parenting plan isn’t going as expected this summer, you’re not alone. For many families in Illinois, summer can bring flexibility, but also friction. Vacation schedules, out-of-state travel, and missed pick-ups can quickly turn a peaceful co-parenting arrangement into a source of stress.
So what can you do if your summer parenting plan starts to unravel?
Here’s what Illinois parents need to know, and what steps you can take if your co-parent isn’t following the plan, or if unexpected issues are putting your time with your child at risk.
Why Summer Parenting Time Can Become a Flashpoint
Summer break often means significant changes to a family’s regular parenting-time routine. Whether it’s travel conflicts, extracurriculars, camp, or differing expectations around flexibility, problems often arise because:
- One parent schedules vacations without mutual agreement
- Visitation times are missed or changed last-minute
- The child is enrolled in camps that overlap with scheduled parenting time
- Activities are busy and overlap with parenting times and vacation
- Communication between parents breaks down
If your plan wasn’t detailed enough, or if one parent is not following the agreed-upon terms, tensions can escalate quickly.
Step 1. Review Your Current Parenting Plan
The first thing to do is take a fresh look at your parenting plan or allocation judgment. This legal document, often created during the divorce or custody process, should clearly outline:
- Summer parenting time schedules
- Rules for travel, notification, or itinerary sharing
- How disputes should be resolved (e.g., mediation, court)
If your plan lacks clear provisions for summer or travel-related arrangements, it may be considered too vague to enforce effectively. A court may hesitate to intervene unless the terms are specific enough to determine whether a violation occurred.
Step 2. Try to Resolve the Issue Directly (When Safe to Do So)
In many cases, a calm and direct conversation can go a long way. If communication is possible, try:
- Reviewing the schedule together and clarifying expectations
- Offering solutions that prioritize your child’s best interests
- Proposing make-up time if parenting time was missed
Keep all communication civil and well-documented. If disagreements persist, avoid escalating the conflict in front of your child.
Step 3. Document Missed Time or Violations
If your co-parent is refusing to comply with the plan, keep a written record. This might include:
- Missed exchanges or denied visitation
- Last-minute changes without agreement
- Messages or emails that show a refusal to follow the schedule
This documentation may be critical if you need to take legal steps. Consistently tracking missed time or deviations using a shared calendar, email log, or even screenshots can help establish a pattern of noncompliance if legal action becomes necessary.
Step 4. Understand Your Legal Options in Illinois
Under Illinois law, both parents are expected to follow the terms of a parenting plan. If your co-parent is not doing so, you may have legal remedies, such as:
- Filing a Motion to Enforce Parenting Time: This asks the court to compel the other parent to follow the plan.
- Seeking a Modification: If the plan no longer reflects your child’s needs or family circumstances, a modification may be appropriate.
- Requesting Make-Up Time or Sanctions: In some cases, the court may award additional parenting time or impose consequences for non-compliance.
Courts in Lake, Cook, DuPage, and surrounding counties prioritize your child’s well-being and want to see both parents engaged and respectful of legal agreements.
Step 5. Before Going to Court: Mediation or Parenting Coordinator
Mediation can be a valuable way to resolve parenting issues without the stress and expense of going to court. In many Illinois jurisdictions, courts encourage (and sometimes require) parents to attempt mediation before proceeding with litigation. Working with an attorney during this process can help you stay focused, prepared, and committed to outcomes that support your child’s well-being.
Alternatively, your parenting agreement may require that disputes and alleged violations be submitted to the Parenting Coordinator before seeking relief in court.
At Katz, Goldstein & Warren, we work closely with parents during the mediation and parenting coordinator process to develop practical, child-focused solutions that support effective co-parenting and reduce future conflict.
What If Your Child Doesn’t Want to Visit the Other Parent?
It’s not uncommon for a child to resist summer visits with one parent, particularly if the schedule disrupts their routine, travel preferences, or social plans. While your child’s emotions should be taken seriously, court-ordered parenting plans are still legally binding. Listening with empathy and keeping open lines of communication can help you understand the underlying concerns.
If these issues continue, it may be appropriate to consult a family law attorney to determine whether a modification is possible based on your child’s age, needs, or changes in family circumstances. In Illinois, courts may consider a child’s wishes depending on their maturity and the specific facts of the case.
When to Involve a Family Law Attorney
If your parenting plan is being ignored, or if you’re worried that your child’s time with you is being compromised, it may be time to seek legal advice. An experienced family law attorney can help:
- Evaluate your parenting plan for enforceability
- Evaluate options for modification of a parenting plan
- Communicate with the other parent or their attorney
- Represent you in court if necessary
- Help you pursue a fair and sustainable long-term resolution
Plan Ahead for Future Summers
To avoid the same challenges next year, consider proactively updating your parenting plan to:
- Include specific dates and deadlines for vacation notifications
- Establish clear exchange times and locations
- Detail expectations for out-of-state travel and communication during trips
- Outline dispute resolution steps (such as first attempting mediation)
A clear, customized summer parenting plan helps reduce confusion and keeps the focus where it belongs: on your child’s well-being.
Serving Families Across Northeastern Illinois
At Katz, Goldstein & Warren, we’ve helped parents across Lake, Cook, DuPage, McHenry, Kane, and Will Counties resolve parenting time issues with clarity, care, and discretion. Whether you're in Northbrook, Highland Park, Buffalo Grove, Lake Forest, downtown Chicago, or any of the surrounding areas, we understand how important it is to preserve your relationship with your child and your peace of mind.
Need Help with a Parenting Time Dispute? Let’s Talk
If your summer parenting plan is falling apart, don’t wait until the conflict escalates. We’re here to help you understand your rights, explore your options, and protect your parenting time.
Schedule a confidential consultation with Katz, Goldstein & Warren today.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this blog does not create an attorney-client relationship with Katz, Goldstein & Warren. For legal guidance specific to your situation, please contact our office.