Do We Need a Separate Parenting Plan During the School Year?

 Posted on August 19, 2026 in Child Custody

Illinois custody cases require that parents have a plan outlining things like the parenting time schedule. However, parents do not need to draft an entirely new or separate parenting plan for different times of year, such as the school year and summer. The same plan can include different schedules for each part of the year.

If you need help drafting a parenting plan that covers school and summer schedules, a Warrenville, IL family law attorney can help.

What Should We Account for in Our Parenting Plan for the Illinois School Year?

Scheduling is the main consideration in a parenting plan for the school year. This includes both parents’ schedules and the child’s schedule. Talk to your co-parent about work hours, school activities, and other commitments. Determine what parenting time schedule makes the most sense for your family.

You should also consider logistical issues such as the following:

• Who will be called if the child needs to leave school early
• Who will be called first during a medical emergency
• Whether one or both of you will attend things like parent-teacher conferences
• Who is responsible for paying school and extracurricular costs, such as sports or field trips
• How you will contact the other parent if an emergency comes up and you are unable to pick your child up
• Whether anyone else is authorized to pick your child up if needed

You should plan to review your parenting plan at least once every year to make sure it is still workable for the next academic year.

What Kinds of Parenting Time Arrangements Do Illinois Parents Use During the School Year?

What parenting time plan works for each family depends on work and school schedules, distance between parents, and how much parenting time each parent has. However, there are some common arrangements that can serve as a starting point for discussing the parenting time schedule.

One option is a week on followed by a week off for each parent. This is straightforward and works if parents have equal parenting time and schedules that can accommodate the child's school schedule. Another equal parenting time option is a 2-2-3 schedule. Under this arrangement, the child spends two days with one parent, two days with the other parent, and then a three-day weekend with the first parent. The schedule reverses the following week.

For a schedule in which one parent has less parenting time, a child may spend every other weekend with that parent. Alternatively, the child may spend one or two school nights with that parent every week or every other week, along with some weekends.

How Do We Make Changes to Our Parenting Plan if Our Child is About to Start School for the First Time?

A parenting plan can be changed or updated when there has been a substantial change in the circumstances of the child or either parent and the change is needed to serve the child’s best interests. A child starting school may qualify as a substantial change if the existing schedule is no longer practical. Illinois law also allows certain minor or agreed changes without proof of changed circumstances.

To request a change, you typically file a petition with the court that issued the original order. An attorney can help you explain why the requested schedule is in your child’s best interests.

Think about how school will affect each parent’s schedule and what new arrangement may work for your child.

If you and your co-parent cannot agree on changes to your parenting plan, the court will likely order mediation (750 ILCS 5/602.10). There are some exceptions — for example, the court may not order mediation if it would be unsafe or inappropriate, such as when there is a history of domestic violence. During mediation, both parents meet with a neutral mediator. The mediator helps them discuss their concerns and try to reach an agreement but does not make decisions for them.

Call Our Naperville, IL Parenting Plan Attorney

Consulting with a lawyer about your 2026 parenting plan can help you make sure it works for you and your child. Our Warrenville, IL custody lawyer has extensive experience handling parenting time and other complex family law matters.

Let us make your family's transition into the school year as smooth as possible. Call Hensley Sendek Law at 630-358-9029 today for a free consultation.