Holiday Time-Sharing in Florida: Making Your Parenting Plan Work

For separated and divorced parents, the holiday season can bring as much stress as celebration. Who has the kids on Thanksgiving? How is winter break divided? What happens if your co-parent wants to travel out of state?



In Florida, the answers usually start with your parenting plan. Here's how holiday time-sharing works, how to avoid common conflicts, and what you can do if the other parent doesn't follow the schedule.

What Florida Law Requires in a Parenting Plan

Under Florida Statute § 61.13, every parenting plan must include a time-sharing schedule that specifies the time the child spends with each parent. Most plans include both:

• A regular schedule for school weeks and weekends
• A holiday and school break schedule for Thanksgiving, winter break, spring break, summer, birthdays and other special days

In most Florida parenting plans, the holiday schedule takes priority over the regular weekly schedule. That means even if it's normally "your weekend," the holiday schedule controls if it falls on the other parent's holiday.

Common Ways Florida Parents Divide the Holidays

There's no single "right" way to share holidays. Common approaches include:

• Alternating years: One parent has Thanksgiving in even years and the other in odd years.
• Splitting the day: One parent has the morning of Christmas Day and the other has the afternoon and evening.
• Splitting winter break: Each parent gets half of the school break, often switching which half each year.
• Fixed holidays: Each parent always has certain holidays, such as Mother's Day and Father's Day, or holidays that matter most to their family or faith.

The best plan is one that fits your family, your children's ages and how far apart the parents live.

Read Your Parenting Plan Now, Not in December

Many holiday conflicts happen because parents don't check their plan until the last minute. Before the season starts, review:

• Which holidays are yours this year
• Exact start and end times for each holiday period
• Where exchanges will happen
• Whether you need to give notice before traveling
• How winter break is defined, for example when school lets out or on a specific date

If anything is unclear, talk with your co-parent early, and put agreements in writing.

Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Co-Parenting

• Plan ahead. Confirm dates, times and travel plans weeks in advance.
• Communicate in writing. Text, email or a co-parenting app creates a clear record.
• Be flexible when you can. Trading days to accommodate a family event can build goodwill for the future.
• Keep the focus on your children. Avoid discussing disagreements in front of them or asking them to choose.
• Help them enjoy both homes. Encourage calls or video chats with the other parent on the holiday.

Traveling Out of Town for the Holidays

Many parenting plans address travel, including how much notice is required and whether you need to share an itinerary. Some plans also require written consent for travel outside the state or country.

A short holiday trip is different from a relocation. In Florida, moving a child's principal residence 50 miles or more for at least 60 days requires the other parent's written agreement or court approval.

What If the Other Parent Won't Follow the Schedule?

If a parent refuses to honor the holiday time-sharing schedule without a good reason, Florida law gives the court tools to respond. Under § 61.13(4)(c), a judge may:

• Award make-up time-sharing to the parent who missed time
• Order the other parent to pay reasonable court costs and attorney's fees
• Require the parent to attend a parenting course
• Order community service
• Modify the parenting plan if it's in the child's best interests

Keep a written record of missed exchanges and communications. It can make a big difference if you need to ask the court for help.

When It's Time to Change the Plan

If your holiday schedule no longer works, perhaps because a parent moved or your children's needs have changed, you may be able to update your parenting plan. Parents can agree to changes and submit them to the court, or one parent can ask the court to modify the plan. Mediation can be an efficient way to reach an agreement. Learn more about how mediation can help resolve family law disputes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the holiday schedule override the regular schedule in Florida?
In most Florida parenting plans, yes. The holiday and school break schedule takes priority over the regular weekly schedule. Check your plan's exact wording.

Can we agree to a different holiday schedule than what's in our plan?
Many parents make informal changes by agreement. Put any change in writing, and remember that the court order controls if a dispute arises later.

What if we don't have a parenting plan yet?
If you're separated without a court-ordered plan, it can be harder to enforce holiday time. A family law attorney can help you establish a parenting plan through divorce, paternity or a custody case.

Talk to a Lake County Family Law Attorney

At the Law Office of Jason G. Smith, attorney Jason G. Smith has more than 22 years of experience helping Florida parents create, enforce and modify parenting plans. As an experienced mediator, he also helps families resolve disputes without unnecessary conflict. Learn more about our child custody and mediation services, or read our guide on how child custody is determined in Florida.

Consultations are free, and virtual meetings are available. Call 407-974-5455, 24/7, or contact us online.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Every family's situation is different. Contact an attorney about your specific situation.