The holiday season can bring joy, celebration, and memorable traditions—but for parents sharing custody, it can also bring stress, confusion, and emotional challenges. Whether you’re following a Texas Standard Possession Order or a customized parenting plan, the key to a successful holiday season is planning ahead, staying flexible, and keeping your children at the center of every decision.

Below is a detailed guide to navigating holiday custody schedules and co-parenting peacefully during this time of year.

Understanding Holiday Custody Schedules

Most custody orders, including Texas court-ordered possession schedule,s give holiday periods priority over the regular visitation schedule. That means the normal weekly routine may shift to accommodate Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, winter break, and other special occasions.

Common Holiday Scheduling Approaches

Every family’s order is different, but many plans use one of the following:

1. Alternating Holidays Each Year

One parent has Thanksgiving in even years, while the other has Christmas, then they swap the following year.

This provides fairness and predictability.

2. Splitting Holidays

Some parents divide the day itself:

• • Morning with one parent
  • Afternoon/evening with the other

This works best when parents live close and communicate well.

3. Extended Holiday Breaks

For school-aged children, winter break may be divided into two blocks:

• • First half with one parent
  • Second half with the other

This allows meaningful time and reduces frequent transitions.

4. Custom Agreements

Families with unique traditions, religious holidays, large family gatherings, or travel plans may design their own schedule through agreement or mediation.

Tips for Co-Parenting During the Holidays

1. Plan Early Communicate Early

Discuss travel, celebrations, relatives visiting, and pickup times well ahead of the holiday. The sooner everyone understands the schedule, the easier it is to avoid conflict.

2. Put the Children First

Ask yourself:
What schedule will give my children the happiest, least stressful holiday?
Kids shouldn’t feel guilty, torn, or caught in the middle.

3. Be Flexible When Possible

Holiday plans sometimes change weather, illness, travel issues, or family emergencies that can require adjustments. Flexibility today often leads to cooperation tomorrow.

4. Honor the Court Order

Even if you and the other parent communicate well, always keep your custody order in mind. If you both agree to deviate, put it in writing through text or email.

5. Avoid Competing or Overlapping Traditions

Try to coordinate so your child isn’t rushed between multiple events on the same day.
The goal is memories—not stress.

6. Share Important Details

If your child will be traveling:

• • Provide flight information
  • Share hotel details
  • Send itineraries
  • Keep communication open

Transparency builds trust and reduces conflict.

7. Create New Traditions

If your holiday schedule means you won’t have the exact day you used to celebrate, consider starting new traditions:

• • “Christmas Eve” celebrations
  • Holiday baking nights
  • Decorating parties
  • New Year’s brunch traditions

Your child will remember the joy, not the calendar date. Keep in mind, this is their childhood, let them enjoy it.

8. Keep Communication Child-Focused

Avoid arguments or emotional discussions during holiday exchanges. Keep messages polite, short, and focused on your child’s needs.

9. Support Your Child Emotionally

The holidays can be harder on kids than adults realize. Help them feel secure by:

• • Encouraging excitement about both homes
  • Letting them bring gifts back and forth
  • Not questioning them about the other parent’s plans
  • Avoiding negative comments

Kids thrive when they feel free to love both parents.

Final Thoughts

The holidays should be a time of joy, not conflict. By planning ahead, communicating respectfully, and focusing on your children, co-parenting during the holiday season can become smoother and even meaningful. A well-organized holiday custody schedule helps ensure your children feel loved, supported, and celebrated in both homes.