24 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MAY | JUNE 2018 The greatest phrase in the English language to a school-aged child: School’s out for the summer! No more homework, no more going to bed early just to get up early, finally FREEDOM! For a single parent or blended family, however, the idyllic family summer some once enjoyed may end up a nightmare of scheduling conflicts and cross-purposes with an ex. We all know that summer – and summer activities – waits for no one. Too often band camp, soccer games and swimming lessons conflict with your custody schedule. And just when there are no organized activities to work around, your teens or tweens want to spend time with friends or just play video games instead of spending quality time with their parent. As children age, it is perfectly natural and healthy for them to want to spend more time on their own or with friends during their summer breaks. But for a parent who already must contend with a limited possession time, this natural assertion of independence can turn into a juggling act. On one hand, you want to recognize the need for a certain amount of independence. But on the other, you want to spend quality time before they fly the nest. So how do we turn a potential nightmare into a summer dream? START WITH COMMUNICATION While difficult for many of us, it is critical that we have open and honest communication with our teens. Schedule a quiet By Chris Oldner | Contributor Into a Summer Dream How to Turn a Child Possession Nightmare