Navigating Holiday Custody Schedules: Tips for Stress-Free Planning

LaTerria Sherer
Nov 15
2 min read

The holiday season should be a time of celebration—but for many co-parents, it can quickly become a source of stress if custody schedules aren’t clarified early. Florida’s parenting plans include specific holiday time-sharing guidelines, but misunderstandings and last-minute changes often lead to conflict.

A little planning now can save you a lot of frustration later. Here’s what parents should know as the holidays approach.

1. How Florida Courts View Holiday Time-Sharing

Florida law focuses on one central principle: the best interests of the child. Holiday time-sharing isn’t about fairness between parents—it’s about creating stability and ensuring your child can enjoy meaningful time with both sides of the family.

Most Florida parenting plans include:

Holiday rotations (alternating odd/even years)
Specific hours for exchanges
Directions for winter break (split or alternating weeks)
Travel notifications

If your plan is outdated or unclear, it’s best to address it before the season starts.

2. Practical Ways to Build a Clear Holiday Schedule

Families handle holiday time in different ways depending on distance, work schedules, and traditions. Some common approaches include:

Alternating Holidays Annually: One parent has Thanksgiving in odd years and Christmas in even years, and vice versa.

Splitting the Winter Break: Many families divide the holiday break into two equal parts. For example, one parent takes the first half of the break and the other takes the second half.

Designating Specific Times: Parents sometimes agree that the child wakes up in one home Christmas morning and transitions to the other home by mid-afternoon.

There is no universal solution—just what works for the child and complies with the plan.

3. Making Temporary Adjustments — in Writing

Life happens. Travel delays, family gatherings, and unexpected events often require adjustments. If you and the other parent agree to make temporary changes:

Put it in writing (text or email is fine).
Be clear about the date, time, and location of the revised exchange.
Don’t assume verbal conversations will hold up if a dispute arises.

Written agreement helps avoid misunderstandings and protects both parents.

4. Plan Early to Avoid Last-Minute Disputes

Most holiday conflicts happen because someone waited too long to communicate. To reduce stress:

Confirm the holiday schedule 30–45 days in advance.
Give plenty of notice about travel plans.
Discuss gifts, traditions, and expectations early.
Revisit the parenting plan each year to ensure it still fits your child’s needs.

Being proactive prevents conflict—and helps your child enjoy the holiday season without tension.