Family Law Blog

The Holidays Are Closer Than You Think: Is Your Parenting Plan Ready?

As hard as it may be to believe, the holiday season is just around the corner. While you're still enjoying summer vacations and starting back-to-school shopping, retailers are already preparing for Halloween, and then Christmas decorations won't be far behind.

The same rapid pace that carries us from late summer to New Year's can also create significant challenges for divorced and separated parents. Holiday parenting schedules often require more planning, flexibility, and communication than any other time of year. Waiting until November to discuss Thanksgiving or Christmas parenting time can leave parents scrambling to resolve disagreements when everyone is already juggling school events, family gatherings, travel plans, and holiday obligations.

The good news is that many of these issues are entirely preventable. The best time to prepare for the holidays is now!

Planning Ahead Reduces Conflict

Even parents who generally communicate well may find that holiday schedules create unexpected challenges. Extended family traditions, vacations, church services, school breaks, and special events can all compete for time with the children. When those conversations happen at the last minute, emotions often run higher and options become more limited.

Reviewing your parenting plan several months before the holidays allows both parents to identify potential conflicts and discuss reasonable adjustments while there is still plenty of time to work through any disagreements. Early planning also gives families greater certainty, allowing parents—and children—to look forward to the holidays instead of worrying about last-minute scheduling issues.

Perhaps most importantly, proactive communication helps keep the focus where it belongs: on the children's experience rather than conflict between parents.

Does Your Parenting Plan Still Work?

Reviewing the holiday schedule often raises a larger question: Does your parenting plan still meet your family's needs?

A parenting plan that worked well when it was first entered may not work as effectively several years later. Children’s activities change. Parents may relocate or change jobs. New relationships develop. Holiday traditions evolve. What once seemed like a practical arrangement may now create unnecessary confusion or recurring disputes.

If you find yourselves interpreting the same provisions differently each year, or if you routinely make informal exceptions to the agreement, it may be a sign that your parenting plan would benefit from an update.

Some questions worth considering include:

• Are the holiday provisions clear and easy to follow?
• Do they reflect your children's current ages and activities?
• Have work schedules or travel obligations changed?
• Are there recurring disagreements that could be eliminated through clearer language?
• Would a modification better serve your family's current circumstances?

Addressing these issues before the holiday season arrives is almost always easier than trying to resolve them while the holidays are already underway.

When Should You Seek Modification?

Not every disagreement requires court involvement. Many parents, with the assistance of counsel, are able to reach mutually agreeable adjustments through open communication and cooperation.

However, when recurring conflicts arise, one parent refuses to follow the existing parenting plan, or the current schedule no longer serves the children's best interests, it may be appropriate to formally modify the parenting plan. A properly drafted modification can provide greater clarity, reduce future conflict, and create more predictability for both parents and children.

An experienced family law attorney can help you evaluate whether a modification is appropriate and guide you through the process of negotiating or obtaining court approval when necessary.

Give Yourself One Less Thing To Worry About – The Present is a Gift

Every holiday season brings enough demands without adding unnecessary disputes over parenting time. Taking the time now to review your parenting plan can save considerable stress later and help ensure everyone knows what to expect well before the holidays arrive.

If your parenting plan no longer reflects your family's needs, or if you anticipate disagreements over holiday parenting time, now is an excellent time to review your options. With thoughtful planning and experienced legal guidance, you can enter the holiday season with greater confidence and peace of mind.

The attorneys in McBrayer's Family Law Practice Group regularly assist parents with parenting plans, timesharing schedules, custody matters, and post-decree modifications. If you have questions about your current parenting plan or believe it may be time for an update, let us help you get it right – contact us today.

Sherry Hurley is a Senior Associate in McBrayer PLLC’s Louisville office, where she focuses on family law and helps clients navigate divorce, custody, and other sensitive matters with compassion and clarity. Her background in criminal and civil litigation provides a strong investigative perspective and advocacy skills that support practical, effective solutions for families. Sherry can be reached at (502) 327-5400 or shurley@mcbrayerfirm.com.

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