Even the most carefully written parenting plan can’t account for every possible situation.
Life has a way of throwing curveballs—and sometimes, those curveballs come in the
form of unexpected days when your kids can’t go to school. Maybe it’s a snow day, a
teacher in-service day, a sudden illness, or even a global event that upends everyone’s
routines.
When these surprises happen, co-parents are often left wondering: Who’s supposed to
take care of the kids today?
At Schantz Fanning, PC, our divorce and family law attorneys in Washington
County, Oregon know that these unexpected moments can create tension between
parents. The good news is that with a little flexibility, reasonableness, and cooperation,
most families can handle these disruptions smoothly and avoid unnecessary conflict.
Even the Best Parenting Plan Can’t Cover Everything
When you go through a divorce, your attorney and the court work hard to create a
comprehensive parenting plan. That plan typically includes everything from holiday
schedules to transportation arrangements to communication expectations.
But as thorough as it may be, no parenting plan can cover every possible scenario.
Judges and attorneys can’t predict snowstorms, surprise school closures, or your child
waking up sick at 6 a.m. Parenting involves unpredictability—that’s just part of the gig.
When those moments come up, the key is not to panic or point fingers. Instead, focus
on what’s best for your child and how both parents can work together to meet their
needs.
Expect the Unexpected: Snow Days, Sick Days, and Everything In Between
Parenting plans work well for routine situations, but life isn’t always routine. Sometimes
life gets in the way. These situations remind us that flexibility and good communication
are just as important as legal structure. Being prepared—mentally and practically—can
make all the difference when things don’t go according to plan.
Be Reasonable and Keep Perspective
The most important rule for navigating unexpected no-school days is simple: be
reasonable.
Ask yourself:
What’s safest for the child?
What makes the most sense for both parents?
Are there multiple solutions that could work?
For example, if one parent works from home and can safely watch the kids during a
snow day, that may be the easiest short-term solution. On the other hand, if the other
parent already had the child overnight, it might make sense for them to keep the child
until school resumes.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but when both parents stay calm and prioritize their
child’s well-being, solutions often become clear.
Parenting Means Sharing Both the Benefits and the Burdens
It’s easy to focus on fairness when these unexpected situations arise—but remember,
parenting isn’t always perfectly balanced day to day.
Unless your Oregon parenting plan specifically says that one parent is responsible for
handling unexpected school closures or child care, both parents share that
responsibility. That means both share the benefits of parenting—the joy of spending
extra time with your child—and the burdens, like rearranging work schedules or
canceling appointments.
By approaching these challenges as shared responsibilities rather than as points of
contention, parents can avoid unnecessary conflict and model teamwork for their
children.
Keep the Big Picture in Mind: Cooperation Builds Goodwill
Today it might be your co-parent’s turn to step up—but next week, it could be yours.
Keeping that in mind helps maintain a spirit of cooperation and flexibility.
If you act unreasonably now—refusing to help out, demanding strict adherence to the
schedule no matter what—it may make your co-parent less willing to accommodate you
in the future.
Think of co-parenting as a long-term partnership focused on your child’s best interests.
Every time you act with fairness and empathy, you build trust and goodwill. And in the
long run, that benefits everyone—especially your children.
When Cooperation Fails, Seek Legal Guidance
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, cooperation breaks down. If you find that your co-
parent consistently refuses to communicate or refuses to help during emergencies, it
may be time to revisit your parenting plan.
An experienced family law attorney in Washington County, Oregon can help you
evaluate your options, clarify responsibilities, or even request a modification if
necessary.
At Schantz Fanning, PC, we help parents find practical, legally sound solutions that
minimize conflict and protect their children’s well-being.
Final Thoughts: Flexibility Is Key to Successful Co-Parenting
Unexpected school closures are just part of life. No parenting plan can predict every
snow day or sick day—but you can control how you respond.
When you approach these challenges with reason, fairness, and cooperation, you
protect not only your child’s well-being but also your long-term co-parenting relationship.
And if disagreements become persistent or unmanageable, our team at Schantz
Fanning, PC is here to help you navigate the legal side of parenting with clarity and
confidence.
