How Can I Balance Parenting Time Over the Holidays?

 Posted on November 18, 2024 in Child Custody

The holidays are a time for family, joy, and togetherness. However, for parents navigating a shared custody arrangement, it can also be a time of stress and tension. They may wonder how they can create a holiday schedule within their parenting plan that works for everyone and is fair to their children.

With the right approach, it is possible to make the holidays a positive experience for your family, even in a co-parenting situation. An experienced Illinois family law attorney can help you create a balanced holiday schedule that prioritizes your children’s needs while respecting each parent's right to quality time.

How Should You Decide Which Holidays Each Parent Will Have?

The ideal way to divide holiday time is through open, respectful communication. Parents can discuss their preferred holidays and make adjustments based on family traditions, religious observances, and other personal priorities. Events like family reunions or annual celebrations that hold particular significance could influence the scheduling decisions.

If parents struggle to agree, Illinois family courts typically examine each parent’s past involvement in specific holidays. Courts prefer schedules that reflect what the child is used to, in the hope of maintaining a stable routine. Parents may also consider their child’s interests; a fair solution often means that he or she will benefit from enjoying meaningful time with both sides of the family.

Can Illinois Law Help with Co-Parenting Holiday Schedules?

Under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA), parents are encouraged to develop a detailed parenting plan that includes instructions for dividing holiday time. The law prioritizes the child's best interests, considering factors such as each parent’s wishes, the child’s adjustment to home and community, and the parents' ability to cooperate. A parenting plan that outlines specific details on holiday custody can help parents avoid disputes and minimize family court involvement.

What Are Common Holiday Parenting Time Arrangements?

When establishing a child custody schedule for the holidays, many co-parents choose from one of the following arrangements: 

• Alternating Holidays: Parents take turns with certain holidays each year. For example, one parent may have the child on Thanksgiving in odd-numbered years, while the other has the child in even-numbered years.

• Splitting the Holiday: Some parents choose to split specific holidays so they each spend part of the day with the child. This option works well if both parents live near one another and can make mid-day exchanges.

• Fixed Holidays: Sometimes, parents designate specific holidays for each parent. For instance, one parent may always have Christmas Eve, while the other has Christmas Day.

• Rotating the Extended Holiday Season: During long school breaks, such as winter or spring breaks, parents may alternate each year or divide the break into segments, allowing each parent an extended period.

How Can You Plan for Unforeseen Changes?

Even the most carefully crafted holiday schedules can see challenges due to factors like weather delays, family emergencies, and unexpected travel issues. Including a contingency plan in your parenting agreement, such as "make-up time" for missed holidays, can help manage these disruptions. Maintaining clear, written communication through email or a co-parenting app also keeps a reliable record of changes. Flexibility is essential, as it shows your children that co-parenting can be adaptable and considerate of all involved.

Contact a DuPage County, IL Child Custody Attorney 

If you need help establishing, modifying, or enforcing a holiday custody agreement, contact a Wheaton, IL family law attorney at Goostree Law Group. Call 630-364-4046 to discuss how we can assist with creating equitable co-parenting plans that work during the holidays.