How Do Florida Parenting Plans Handle School Breaks and Holidays in 2025?
When parents in Florida separate or divorce, one of the first questions they face is how to divide time with their children, especially during holidays and school breaks. These moments carry deep meaning for families, filled with traditions, travel, and memories. A well-crafted parenting plan removes uncertainty and ensures children maintain strong bonds with both parents.
Florida courts require every parenting plan to address holiday schedules and school breaks in detail. That way, both parents know what to expect and children benefit from stability. At The Law Office of Eric C. Cheshire in West Palm Beach, Florida, we help families create parenting plans that reduce conflict and put children’s best interests first.
Why Holidays Are a Key Part of Parenting Plans
A parenting plan in Florida must go beyond weekdays and weekends. It has to account for special days and extended breaks, including:
- School holidays (Thanksgiving, winter and spring break, summer vacation)
- Federal holidays and long weekends (Labor Day, Memorial Day, July 4th)
- Religious and cultural holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah, Easter, Passover, etc.)
- Birthdays (child’s birthdays, and sometimes parents’)
- Special events (family reunions, graduations, weddings)
By spelling out these details in advance, parents avoid last-minute disputes, and children don’t feel caught in the middle.
Common Approaches to Holiday Time-Sharing
Florida law encourages parents to share holiday time in a way that feels fair. Courts look for balance, not one parent dominating the calendar. Some common arrangements include:
- Alternating holidays: Parents switch off each year. For example, one parent has Thanksgiving in odd years, the other in even years.
- Splitting holidays: A holiday is divided, such as Christmas morning with one parent and the afternoon with the other.
- Set holidays: Some holidays are always assigned the same way, like Mother’s Day with mom and Father’s Day with dad.
- Extended breaks: Parents may alternate spring break or divide the longer winter break into two halves.
- Summer vacation: Often split into larger chunks (for example, alternating two-week or four-week blocks).
The right plan depends on the family’s distance, traditions, and what supports the child’s well-being.
Parents Often Ask
Parents in Palm Beach County frequently raise the same concerns when planning schedules. Here are some common questions and how Florida family law addresses them:
School-Related
- What if we disagree about school choice?
If parents can’t agree on where a child should attend school, the court will weigh factors like location, quality of education, and stability before deciding. - Can a parenting plan cover homework and activities?
Yes. Plans often outline who is responsible for transporting children to after-school activities or helping with homework. - Can one parent change schools during a divorce?
Not without agreement or court approval. Courts prefer stability while litigation is pending.
Holiday-Related
- How is Christmas break divided?
Often split evenly, with parents alternating the first and second half each year. - What if both parents want the same holiday week?
Courts generally alternate or split the time. Judges rarely award one parent the same holiday every year. - Can I travel with my child during a holiday?
Yes, but most plans require advanced notice of travel, especially for out-of-state or international trips.
Flexibility and Modifications
- Can we temporarily change the plan for special events?
Parents can agree to temporary swaps, but if disputes arise, the written plan controls. - What happens if one parent refuses to follow the holiday schedule?
Courts can enforce the plan, including makeup time or even sanctions. - How often can holiday provisions be modified?
Parenting plans can be changed if there’s a substantial change in circumstances and the modification is in the child’s best interest.
Practical Tips for Parents
Holidays should be joyful, not stressful. These tips can help:
- Plan early: Agree on travel plans, pickup times, and flight details well before the holiday.
- Stay flexible: Children may have changing needs as they grow older, for instance what works at age 5 may not work at 15.
- Respect traditions: If one parent’s family has an annual reunion or religious tradition, try to accommodate it.
- Put children first: Ask how the schedule will feel for the child. Will they spend all day in the car, or enjoy quality time with both parents?
- Document everything: Keep agreements in writing to avoid misunderstandings later.
FAQ: Florida Parenting Plans and Holidays
Q: Can we design our own holiday schedule?
A: Yes, and it’s encouraged. Courts prefer it when parents agree because they know their family best.
Q: Do plans have to cover every holiday?
A: They must cover major school breaks and holidays, but parents can include as many details as they want.
Q: What if our traditions don’t line up with standard holidays?
A: Parenting plans can include any cultural or family traditions that matter to you, as long as the court finds them reasonable.
Q: Can I refuse to let my child go if I don’t like the holiday schedule?
A: No. A parenting plan is a court order, and failing to follow it can result in legal consequences.
Q: What if my ex won’t cooperate with holiday plans?
A: You may need to file a motion to enforce or modify the parenting plan. Courts can intervene if one parent is consistently uncooperative.
Why Legal Guidance Matters
Parenting plans are more than just paperwork. They set the stage for how families function after divorce. A strong plan prevents disputes, protects traditions, and supports children as they grow.
At The Law Office of Eric C. Cheshire in West Palm Beach, we’ve worked with families for over 30 years to create clear, enforceable parenting plans. We know the details that matter: pickup times, travel notices, how to divide long weekends, and how to adjust when life changes.
Plan Ahead for Holidays and School Breaks
If you’re creating or modifying a parenting plan in Florida, don’t leave school breaks and holidays up to chance. Protect your parenting time and your child’s well-being with a plan that works. Contact The Law Office of Eric C. Cheshire in West Palm Beach today to schedule a consultation. We’ll help you design a plan that balances school, holidays, and traditions, while keeping your child’s best interests front and center.