Category Archives: Children and Divorce

Children and Holidays After Divorce: The “Fall as it May” Option

Note: As I have previously emphasized, children are not objects to be “owned” by or “assigned to” either parent. Hence, in recent years legal terminology has substituted “parenting plan” for the traditional “custody.” In keeping with this more enlightened attitude, I do my best to avoid  language stating that “the Father/Mother shall have the children,” … Continue reading Children and Holidays After Divorce: The “Fall as it May” Option

Children and Holidays After Divorce: The “Add On” Option

The “add on” option is used primarily for Monday and Friday holidays, such as Good Friday, Memorial Day, Labor Day, etc., when the parents do not want to allocate these holidays in a more specific manner (such as “split” or “equal and rotational.”) With the “add on” option, the holiday is added to the nearest … Continue reading Children and Holidays After Divorce: The “Add On” Option

Children and Holidays After Divorce: The “Split” Option

The “split” option offers an alternative to some of the possible drawbacks associated with the “equal and rotational” and the “exclusive” approaches. With the “split” approach, specific holidays are split into two distinct periods, so that the children spend part of the split holiday with each parent rather than being apart from either parent for … Continue reading Children and Holidays After Divorce: The “Split” Option

Children and Holidays After Divorce: The “Exclusive” Option

The “exclusive” option is the complete opposite of the “equal and rotational” option discussed in my previous blog. The “equal and rotational” option allows the children to take turns spending a particular holiday with each parent. Therefore, a parenting plan might provide: Thanksgiving: Thanksgiving shall be shared equally and rotationally, from Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. … Continue reading Children and Holidays After Divorce: The “Exclusive” Option

Children and Holidays After Divorce – Ten Options: Equal and Rotational

Because holidays and special occasions (such as birthdays) are traditionally a time for families to celebrate together, developing a post-divorce parenting plan for these celebrations can be a very difficult, painful, and contentious aspect of the divorce process. It is a balancing act between doing what is best for the children while simultaneously recognizing each … Continue reading Children and Holidays After Divorce – Ten Options: Equal and Rotational