Holiday parenting time: This schedule takes precedent over the regular parenting time schedule. If a parent misses regular parenting time because of holiday parenting time he/she is not entitled to makeup. It works itself out overtime.
The following is a list by month of the possible holidays and school breaks:
January
Martin Luther King Day
February
Presidents Day
March/April
Easter
Spring Break
May
Mothers Day
Memorial Day
June
Fathers Day
July
July 4
September
Labor Day
October
Columbus Day
Fall Break
Halloween
November
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving
December
Christmas Eve/Christmas Day
Winter Break
New Years Eve/New Years Day
Typically, one parent gets certain holidays in odd years and the other parent in even years. If you have the January holiday then the other parent should have the next holiday in the schedule.
I recommend keeping the holiday schedule to a minimum, including only the most important holidays. It is really disruptive to have every single one of the school holidays and breaks included. The more holidays you include the more disruption there will be. Carefully consider the holidays that really matter to you and your children. Birthdays can easily be celebrated just before or just after the actual day. There is no need to include birthdays in the holiday schedule.
As to Christmas and Winter Break, I recommend that once your child is in school you divide Winter Break, rather than Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. One parent would have the beginning of the break through Christmas Day. The other parent would have from December 26 through the end of the break, including New Years. This allows each parent to have a full Christmas celebration with the children every other year and makes travel possible. If you divide Christmas Eve and Christmas Day it disrupts the holiday for both parents and the children every year and no one can travel to see extended family.
If I were making a schedule I would limit holidays to Memorial Day, Labor Day, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Thanksgiving, Winter Break (including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), Easter and Spring Break (which sometimes are concurrent).
And remember...
While you may find helpful insights or bits of information in this blog as it progresses, keep in mind that this is only being provided as general information to help you and others get started in this process. My first and best advice is to consult a lawyer knowledgeable in the area of family law. This is the only way to truly obtain advice directly pertinent to your situation. I am available for consultation by calling (928) 458-5026 to schedule an appointment.
