Holiday Schedule
What is a Holiday Schedule?
A Holiday Schedule is a type of visitation order, usually in addition to parents’ standard custody and visitation schedule, which outlines who has care of their minor child(ren) on certain holidays and other time-off from school throughout the year.
A Holiday Schedule has priority over the parents’ custody and visitation schedule insofar as one parent may have custody of the minor child(ren), on what would have otherwise been the other parent's day, if not for the particular holiday on that date.
Why is it important to establish a Holiday Schedule as part of our Custody & Visitation Agreement?
As an initial matter, having a precise, unambiguous, and enforceable visitation order is paramount in any family law case. This means you should absolutely include a separate schedule for holidays and other days off from school - because your standard visitation schedule may not align with your wishes for those days and may not distribute time with your child(ren) in an agreeable manner.
Having a predetermined schedule in place for the holidays can (among other benefits):
Set expectations (for parents and children);
Allow for future planning;
Establish a sense of order; and
Reduce potential disagreements and stress.
Moreover, holidays are important to family time. Whether or not you have long standing traditions you wish to keep in place after your divorce, having time with your child(ren) when not in school allows for meaningful bonding.
Furthermore, the holidays can also be stressful - think about how many other family members you may need to coordinate with and manage during the holidays. Having a schedule in place means one less thing to worry about so you can enjoy your time together.
What are some holidays and other days we should think about including in a Holiday Schedule?
See Judicial Council Form FL-341(C) - “Children’s Holiday Schedule Attachment” for a sample Holiday Schedule. [1]
New Year’s Eve (Dec 31)
New Year’s Day (Jan 1)
Martin Luther King’s Birthday (3-Day Weekend)
President’s Day (3-Day Weekend)
President’s Week Recess (Whole Week or First Half & Second Half)
Spring Break (Whole Week or First Half & Second Half)
Mother’s Day
Memorial Day (3-Day Weekend)
Father’s Day
July 4th
Summer Break
Labor Day (3-Day Weekend)
Halloween
Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Weekend
Thanksgiving Break (Whole Week or First Half & Second Half)
December-January Winter Break (Whole Week or First Half & Second Half)
Christmas Even (Dec 24)
Christmas Day (Dec 25)
Child’s Birthday
Mother’s Birthday
Father’s Birthday
Other known school breaks
Breaks for Year-Round-School
Other Holidays (observed by the family)
Furlough Days
Any other 3-Day Weekends not specified above (known or unknown)
Can we use Mediation to establish a Holiday Schedule?
YES - Mediation is a great option for parents seeking to establish a Holiday Schedule in addition to their custody and visitation schedule. One of the many benefits of Mediation is that it allows parents to centralize their child(ren)’s needs to create the lasting family dynamics they wish to hold onto after a divorce. Working together to find a way to allow everyone to spend meaningful time together during the holidays is one way to help your child(ren) feel connected after a divorce.
Lea M. Nemeth, PC is dedicated to helping you achieve the best possible outcome for your particular circumstance. Book a Consultation today to learn more about how Mediation can benefit you and your loved ones.
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