3 Ways to Divide Child Custody on Major Holidays

 Posted on December 10, 2024 in Family Law

One of the most emotionally difficult parts of making a parenting plan is deciding where your children should spend the holidays. Nearly all parents want their children with them for major holidays that are normally spent with family. Parents often approach the discussion based on the idea that only one parent will get to celebrate a particular holiday with the children and the other will not, when that is not necessarily the case. There are creative solutions you can use so that both of you can fully enjoy the holidays with your children. An experienced Rolling Meadows, IL parental allocation attorney can help you plan to have the best holiday season with your children you can.

Celebrate on Different Dates 

One option is to be flexible about when you celebrate the holiday. Some divorced parents celebrate major holidays on different dates so that each can be with their children on the day they celebrate. Even parents who are still together but have adult children with families of their own use this solution to accommodate everyone. If it is possible for one of you to celebrate a holiday several days early or late, this option can keep everyone happy - especially your children, who now get to celebrate twice.

Divide the Day

If you live close enough to each other that having a custody exchange on a major holiday would not be too burdensome, consider dividing the day. If both parents celebrate Christmas, for example, your children could wake up and open presents at one parent’s house and then go to the other’s in the afternoon before dinner. This solution can also work extremely well if your family celebrates multi-day holidays like Hanukkah, as scheduling a mid-holiday custody exchange would likely be very manageable in most situations. Make sure to be specific about how holiday exchanges will work in your parenting plan.

Create New Traditions 

If the distance between households means that your children will have to travel to the other parent’s house during breaks from school when the holidays take place, the parent who will not have the children during that time can create new traditions to celebrate holidays with the children. Some parents spend a few weeks doing holiday-themed activities with their children before school lets out. Others have "Christmas in July" celebrations while the children are with them or have "mini-holiday" celebrations a week or more earlier.

Contact a Rolling Meadows, IL Parenting Plan Attorney

Ann O’Connell Law, Ltd. is committed to helping parents who are getting divorced find the best solutions possible for their children. Our experienced Lake County, IL child custody lawyers will help you plan to make the most of the holiday season with your children. Contact us at 847-859-6222 for a complimentary consultation.