One of the most sensitive aspects of any parenting plan is how to divide holidays. These special times of the year often carry deep emotional meaning for families, especially for children. When parents divorce, establishing a fair and workable holiday schedule becomes essential, not only for parental consistency, but also for maintaining your child’s sense of tradition and stability.
At Magnuson Lowell, P.S., we help clients create parenting plans that account for all major holidays and school breaks in a way that respects both parents’ time and promotes the child’s best interests.
Common Approaches to Holiday Schedules
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to holidays, but several common options exist:
- Alternating years: One parent gets the child on a holiday in even-numbered years, while the other gets the child in odd-numbered years.
- Splitting the day: Parents may divide a holiday into two parts - morning with one parent, evening with the other.
- Fixed holidays: Certain holidays may always be spent with one parent, such as a birthday or a holiday tied to a cultural or religious tradition.
- Custom arrangements: Some parents alternate Thanksgiving but always share Christmas morning, or they trade based on who is traveling that year.
The key is to create a plan that both parents can follow without conflict and that prioritizes the child’s enjoyment and stability.
Major Holidays to Consider
When drafting or modifying a parenting plan, consider how you’ll address the following:
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
- New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
- Summer vacation (including Fourth of July)
- Mother’s Day and Father’s Day
- Halloween
- Religious holidays specific to your family
- The child's birthday
- Each parent’s birthday
Addressing School Breaks
Holidays aren’t the only concern. Many families also create schedules around spring break, midwinter breaks, long weekends, and summer vacation. These periods should be included in the parenting plan to reduce last-minute disputes. These are also often split in odd years and even years. For summers, the plan is often kept the same except that each party might receive a couple weeks of uninterrupted time for summer vacation.
Get Legal Help with Your Parenting Plan
At Magnuson Lowell, P.S., we understand the emotional and logistical challenges of splitting holidays after divorce. We work with clients throughout Washington to create and modify parenting plans that reduce stress and support long-term co-parenting success. Contact our office for a free telephone case evaluation 425-800-0572!
