A visitation case study where the parents share special occasions and emergencies.
Joe and Mary worked out schedules for the major holidays quite well. They also had concerns about a number of special occasions which were going to take place. Jose was concerned because his sister was getting married in a few months and he wanted to make sure that the children were available. This was especially important because they were going to be part of the wedding party. It was agreed that both parents would be entitled to have the children for special family occasions such as weddings, bar mitzvahs, confirmations, funerals, and family birthday celebrations, providing reasonable notice was give.
Joe and Mary also decided that on special occasions for their own children such as confirmation or birthdays they, Joe and Mary, were on good enough terms so that they could share the occasions with their children. It was, therefore, agreed that on the children’ birthdays both parent would have access to the children and this would also be true for other special occasions for the children. Joe and Mary took into account the possibility that their relationship might deteriorate. They agreed that if either one felt uncomfortable sharing an occasion, that person would have the right to opt out of the celebration or party but would still have some access to the children on that day. There were also concerns about Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and parental birthdays so it was agreed that Mary would have the right to have the children on Mother’s Day and her birthday and Joe would have the children on his birthday and Father’s Day.
It was also agreed that if the children should become ill for more than twenty-four hours, then the noncustodial parent would have the right to visit with the children in the custodial parent’s home given three hours prior notification.
In addition to the other aspects of visitation Joe and Mary agreed that each of them would have the right to take the children during the children’s summer vacation for a period of two weeks. Both Joe and Mary understood that they might not use this entitlement every year but they wanted it in case they decided to use it. Each would inform the other, as well as the children, at lease six weeks in advance so that adequate planning could take place. They agreed that the address and phone number where the children would be staying would be supplied and that the children would call home at lease once during the vacation at a prearranged time.