Child custody ideas for the holidays

 Posted on October 29, 2021 in Child Custody

Most of the time, your child custody schedule looks pretty simple. You get the children one week and then your ex gets them the following week. You make the exchanges after school, on Fridays.

But the holidays always get a bit more chaotic. Schedules change, of course, but it’s not just that. It’s also that you would both like to be involved. If it’s your ex’s week to have the kids on Thanksgiving or Christmas, that’s hard. What are some other solutions?

You could celebrate together

If you and your ex are on fairly good terms, you could celebrate together and include everyone. The kids will probably prefer this, as it’s easiest for them and they get to see both of you, so the question is just whether or not it feels feasible for you and your ex.

Cut the holiday in half

Another option is to split the day. The kids could wake up at your house in the morning and then go see your ex around lunch. They get two holiday parties, which they’ll enjoy. The only downside is that the middle of the day is spent in the car, switching homes.

Alternating holidays

Finally, some couples switch the holidays back and forth. One year, you get the kids on Thanksgiving and your ex gets them on Christmas. The next year, you switch so that you have them on Christmas and your ex has them on Thanksgiving. This does limit how much you see them, but it is fair.

If your child custody situation gets complicated, especially if you and your ex can’t agree, then you definitely need to know what legal options you have.