Disputes about sharing parenting time and parental authority are common. It can take months for adults to reach a reasonable arrangement regarding their family schedule and parental responsibilities.
Unfortunately, issues may arise that complicate co-parenting dynamics. One parent might sign the children up for extracurricular activities that have practices or competitions during the other’s parenting time. Other times, one parent might tell the other that the children are unavailable because they are ill or have a playdate with a friend.
Can one parent choose to cancel the other’s scheduled parenting time with their children?
Parents should agree on any schedule changes
Generally speaking, parents who share time with their children also share decision-making authority. They should generally communicate about matters such as scheduling medical appointments or participation in extracurricular activities.
In cases where outside obligations interfere with scheduled parenting time, the parent making the plans should typically offer the other the opportunity to make up their lost time with the children. If they refuse to do so, especially if the cancellations become a pattern, then it may be necessary to ask the courts to modify the custody order.
It is also potentially possible to enforce the existing order to prevent continued interference in parenting time and disruptions to the family schedule. The justification for the change in schedule and also the response to a request for rescheduling can influence whether initiating enforcement actions or requesting a modification is the appropriate response to the situation.
If one parent refuses to uphold the custody order, then the other parent may need to take action. Documenting parenting time violations and taking action promptly can help parents assert their rights and protect the bond that they have with their children.