Creating a Holiday Co-Parenting Schedule

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Co-parents need to work together on a holiday co-parenting schedule in advance. Both parents should start by deciding which holidays to include in the schedule and which ones matter to them individually. They then need to come up with a way to share these holidays while prioritizing the interests of the children. For holidays that matter to one parent in particular, the children could remain with him or her. For holidays that matter to both parents, the parents have the option to alternate the holidays for even or odd years.

The Parents can also decide to split the holidays where each parent gets time during the day or season with the children. After agreeing on a holiday co-parenting schedule, both parents should put it in writing and create a visual calendar to help other parties involved understand the schedule better. The parents should also share the calendar with the children so that the children can be aware of where they will be during each holiday.

The Importance of Creating a Holiday Co-Parenting Schedule

During a divorce, parents should ensure that their children continue sharing memorable holiday moments with both sides of the family. Having a holiday co-parenting schedule in place eliminates conflicts between both parents and allows each one of them to plan for the holidays well. The children feel secure because they already know where they have a reliable schedule to depend on.

Deciding on Ways to Arrange the Holiday Co-Parenting Schedule

Parents have several options when it comes to organizing a holiday co-parenting schedule. To get the best arrangement, they both have to keep in mind the emotional, physical, and social welfare of the children. The most common options for a holiday co-parenting schedule include:

Split/Shared Holiday Schedule

This arrangement allows each parent to spend the holiday with the child/children for a part of the day. The child spends half a day with one parent and the other half with the other parent. If it is during a school break, one parent can have the child/children for the first half of the break and the other parent for the second half of the break. Once school reopens, the parents go back to the usual parenting-time schedule.

Alternate Holiday Schedule

Parents can agree to alternate the holidays each spends with the children for even or odd years. If the child spends a holiday with one parent this year, the child spends the same holiday with the other parent the following year.

Following Regular Visitation Schedule

In this arrangement, the child gets to celebrate the holiday with the parent who has him or her according to the normal visitation schedule.

Special Occasions

If a holiday is special to one parent, that parent gets to celebrate with the child. For instance, the child spends Mother’s Day with the mother or military holidays with the parent who is in the military.

Seeking Legal Support

When parents run into trouble when creating a holiday co-parenting schedule, they should consider working with a family law attorney to have a fair and effective schedule created. A family law attorney can guide the parents throughout the entire process of modifying an existing holiday co-parenting schedule. The attorney can also help both parents agree on a structured yet flexible co-parenting schedule.