CREATING A SUMMER PLAN FOR YOUR KIDS
COMMUNICATE, PLAN, AND HAVE FUN!
During the school year, separated parents usually have a set schedule for their children. This lets the child and parents know who is going where, when, and for how long. Now that summer is here, it’s a good time to look over you parenting schedules and make adjustments if needed. School often requires a strict schedule, but with the freedom of summer, such a routine isn’t required. Kids are all about summer vacation — bright blue skies, swimming, spending time with their friends, and most importantly, no homework! To give your child the best summer vacation, it’s important to keep an open channel of communication between you and your former spouse. One of the most important factors you can do is plan ahead at your earliest opportunity. This will help avoid any future conflicts between family get-togethers or vacations you may have planned. Create a schedule that works not only for the parents but that will help the child have a memorable summer as well. If they’re younger, spending small periods of time with each parent throughout the summer can give both parents time with that child. If your child is older, splitting the summer in half, or even simply scheduling longer periods of time, can provide them with the time they need.
Coordinating your plans this summer plays a significant role in the mental health of you and your children. Overlapping schedules can cause anxiety and stress for the parents and children involved. If you aren’t careful in your approach, you can unintentionally leave a child feeling guilty they’re leaving you at home. By encouraging them to have fun with the other parent while out on vacation, you’ll help them feel more at ease about the trip. To avoid causing tension with your co-parent, if you’re planning the vacation, be sure to let them know what’s going on and where the trip is taking place. It’s also important that they feel secure in your plans — if not, try to compromise so both parties can feel comfortable, rather than adversarial.
Open communication is vital in these summer months. Looking over your parenting agreement can be a great start this season. Set yourself up for success and prepare to have an exciting and momentous summer!
HAVE A LAUGH!
inspired by Bon Appetit OATMEAL COOKIE ICE CREAM SANDWICHES
These homemade cookies are the perfect platform for sweet ice cream. Whip up a batch for a cool summer treat no store-bought option can touch.
INGREDIENTS
• 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter • 1 1/2 ounces store-bought waffle cones, lightly crushed • 1 1/2 cups oats • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour • 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1. Heat oven to 350 F. While oven is heating, cook butter in saucepan over medium heat until browned, 5–8 minutes. Scrape browned butter into a heatproof measuring glass. 2. Pulse waffle cones, oats, flour, and salt in a food processor or blender. Once cones are finely ground, add brown sugar and pulse again. 3. Whisk egg yolk, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl. 4. Add egg mixture to food processor while spinning on low. Once integrated, slowly add DIRECTIONS
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed • 1 large egg yolk • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract • 4 pints ice cream (any flavor)
browned butter; blend until dough forms a solid mass around blades. 5. Form dough into 26 balls and place 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Flatten balls and bake 12–15 minutes or until edges begin to brown. 6. Let cool, then spread ice cream between cookies to make sandwiches. 7. Freeze for up to 5 days — or enjoy today!
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