Florida Parenting Plans Should Include Holidays And Vacations

If you and your partner share children and are in the process of ending your marriage, crafting a custody arrangement that prioritizes the well-being of your children is no doubt at the forefront of your mind. These plans will need to cover everything from visitation schedules and agreements regarding child support to determinations about parental decision making. It can be easy, when grappling with these issues, to overlook things like holidays and vacations, but parents should be sure to account for these plans when coming up with a custody arrangement.

The Significance of Holidays and Vacations 

Each family is unique, so a parenting plan that works for one family might not be in the best interests of another. Fortunately, divorcing parents can craft a parenting plan that is unique to their own situation. This applies not only to day-to-day work schedules and the desires of the children, but also to special dates, like holidays and vacations. The winter holidays, for instance, may play an important role in a family’s life due to the observance of a religious holiday, while in others, a yearly summer trip to the family lake house may be a valued tradition. Parents, when negotiating their parenting plans, are in the best position to take these feelings and traditions into account.

Rotating Holidays and Vacations 

One of the ways that many co-parents handle important holidays and vacations is to rotate when the child spends them with each parent. For instance, a child may get to spend the winter holiday with one parent in odd numbered years and the holiday with the other parent in even numbered years. This kind of arrangement ensures that parents have an equal amount of time with their child and can still honor past traditions.

Dividing Special Occasions 

Another common way that some families plan for holidays and special occasions is to divide them. This is especially common in situations where two parents live near each other, which makes it easier for a child to spend the morning of an important holiday with one parent and the evening with the other parent. In other cases, two parents may agree to spend part of the day together, so that the child can see his or her entire extended family at once.

Tips for Planning Your Holiday Custody Schedule 

Planning for holidays, vacations, and special occasions can give children a sense of stability and routine in a difficult time. Their living situations may be different, but they can still look forward to the usual birthday celebration at the family’s favorite restaurant, or get to see cousins and grandparents at Thanksgiving. Including detailed holiday plans in a parenting plan is also a great way to avoid confusion between co-parents regarding transportation arrangements or exact start and end dates. Clarity on these issues can prevent misunderstandings and conflict that would only end up upsetting the couple’s child.

Here to Help With Your Custody-Related Challenges 

If you have questions about the issues that will need to be covered in your own parenting plan, please connect with the legal team at the law office of experienced Fort Lauderdale child visitation and time-sharing attorney Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A. via phone or online message.

Sources: 

floridarevenue.com/childsupport/parenting_time_plans/Pages/default.aspx

jud12.flcourts.org/About/Divisions/Family/Pro-Se-Forms-Instructions/Parenting-Plans