Parents who share custody have to uphold the parenting time schedule outlined in their custody order. Of course, unusual situations inevitably arise when raising children.
Someone in the family might fall ill. A child might need to see a doctor or might have a sporting event during regularly-scheduled parenting time. Sometimes, it becomes necessary to reschedule or adjust one parent’s time with the children.
In some cases where parents lose time with their children, they can sometimes request makeup parenting time. When is extra parenting time a possibility?
Ideally, parents cooperate
Both parents can work together to keep the focus on their children whenever custody challenges arise. If illness or school obligations require the cancellation of parenting time, the parents can potentially negotiate to allow a makeup parenting session.
Making arrangements through mutual cooperation is often the best option. Going to court could be necessary if there are consistent issues and the other parent won’t cooperate. In situations where one parent consistently interferes with the other’s parenting time, the family courts might even order makeup parenting time to help protect the bond the parent has with their child.
If one parent cancels the other’s parenting session, then the parent denied time with the children typically has a right to request additional time. In scenarios where parents have to cancel their own sessions or do not show up for their parenting time, any makeup parenting time is usually at the discretion of the other parent.
Parents denied time with their children may need to show up for those sessions and document each incident to prove that there is a pattern of interference. Keeping records, attempting to work together and speaking up when the situation clearly involves unfair attempts to limit access to the children can help parents assert their parental rights and fulfill their parental responsibilities in a shared custody scenario.
