Holidays are special times for most families and one of the most difficult things for divorcing parents to come to terms with is the fact that they will not be spending all of the holidays with their children every year after the divorce. This can be difficult for the children as well as the parents so it is important to create a schedule where each parent has significant time with the children during the holidays.
The following is an example of a holiday visitation schedule that has worked for many parents:
In even numbered years, the Father has Thanksgiving and the second week of Christmas Vacation/Winter Break (beginning the afternoon of Christmas Day), while the Mother has Easter/Spring Break and the first week of Christmas Vacation/Winter Break (ending the afternoon of Christmas Day). In odd numbered years, the Father has Easter/Spring Break and the first week of Christmas Vacation/Winter Break (ending the afternoon of Christmas Day), while the Mother has Thanksgiving and the second week of Christmas Vacation/Winter Break (beginning the afternoon of Christmas Day). The Mother has Mother’s Day every year, and the Father has Father’s Day every year. Any holiday that falls on a Monday (i.e. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day) will belong to the parent who has the children the preceding weekend.