Family lawyers are dealing with a number of clients with queries arising out of the evolving coronavirus shutdowns and restrictions, but none more pressing this week than the issue of school holiday timings.
The Victorian State Government has proclaimed that the Victorian school holidays started on 23 March 2020 and are anticipated to run until the regular resumption of school on Tuesday, 14 April 2020.
Given this, school holiday periods appear to have commenced. Parties should therefore review their parenting orders and parenting plans to implement school holiday arrangements. Many school holiday arrangements have a ‘half half’ split that means that the first half is with one parent, with changeover on a ‘middle’ weekend. These types of orders do not quite anticipate a variable length school holiday.
In light of this, consider whether the most practicable and importantly, child-focussed, approach is (if you have an equally shared school holiday) to simply do alternating weeks. This works in the event that there is an extension to the school holiday period in April as well. Consider how this situation may be causing anxiety for your child, and how having a calm arrangement with their other parent may help them to feel calm as well.
This is of course just a general observation and not advice on your specific circumstances. If you would like to discuss your specific situation in detail, please contact us on 03 9614 7111 or email melbourne@nevettford.com.au for advice from expert family lawyers.