The holiday season is a joyous time filled with celebrations with loved ones and friends, but for parties involved in custody and visitation disputes, it can also be a stressful time.
Though you may already have a regular parenting access schedule ironed out, it’s important to determine an appropriate holiday schedule for your children as well. Like your regular parenting access schedule, you need to think about what’s in your children’s best interests when determining a holiday and special occasion schedule.
Do your children look forward to celebrating certain holidays in certain ways? Do you celebrate certain occasions that the other parent does not celebrate? Is it feasible to split the day so that the children can spend the occasion with both parents?
For parents who can effectively co-parent, a flexible and non-descript holiday and special occasion schedule may work beautifully. For parents who are unable to achieve that level of communication, it may be important to detail the specifics so as to avoid unnecessary drama and other negative consequences that may ensue.
Utilizing the services of an attorney or mediator can assist in ensuring your holiday and special occasion schedule meets your children’s needs. If necessary, software programs designed to assist parents who are unable to communicate effectively, like “Our Family Wizard,” can help as well by providing a platform where parents can communicate with each other to resolve disputes. Below is a partial list of holidays and special occasions to consider:
- Thanksgiving
- Chanukah
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
- Kwanzaa
- New Year’s Eve
- New Year’s Day
- Easter
- Passover
- Mother’s Day
- Father’s Day
- 4th of July
- Labor Day
- Rosh Hashanah
- Yom Kippur
- Halloween
- Your children’s birthdays
- Your birthday
With Thanksgiving just a few weeks away, now is the time to put your holiday and special occasion schedule in place. Contact us to get started.