Holidays are a very significant time for most families. Parents and children will naturally want to
spend special time together. If you and
your ex share child custody, the holidays may present anxieties over how to
share equal time with your children. A
prearranged, comprehensive plan can make the holidays more enjoyable and less
stressful. Here are three options:
Celebrate it Twice
One option is to celebrate the holiday twice. For example, Parent #1 could celebrate Christmas with the children a week before, while Parent #2 would celebrate with the children on December 25. This arrangement could be alternated by year to ensure fairness to all.
Divide it in Half
A second option is to divide the holiday in half. For example, Parent #1 could celebrate the first half of Christmas Day with the children, while Parent #2 could celebrate the second half of Christmas Day the children. This type of arrangement does require advanced planning to ensure that travel time does not take too much of a toll on the children or prevent them from missing the main parts of celebrations.
Alternate Years
A third option is to alternate years. Assign a particular holiday to Parent #1 on odd years, and to Parent #2 on even years, or vice versa. For example, this year (2013), Parent #1 could get the children from the beginning of winter break until December 26. Parent #2 would get the children from December 26 until the end of the winter break in January. This way, one parent would get to share Christmas with the children, and the other parent would get to share New Years with the children. Next year (2014), the parents would switch.
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, and with Christmas, Chanukah, and New Years soon following, now is the time to begin thinking about your holiday custody plan.
If you find yourself facing a dilemma regarding holiday
child custody, and wish to get legal assistance, please contact our firm. We may be able to help lessen your stress and
ensure that you and your children can share an enjoyable holiday.
