The holidays can be wonderful, stressful, emotional, and complicated all at the same time. For divorced or separated parents, November through January often brings extra questions about parenting time, travel, traditions, and how to keep kids at the center of every decision.
If you are navigating a custody order in Georgia, or preparing for your first holiday season after divorce in Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Buckhead, or anywhere in the North Atlanta suburbs, here is what really matters, what the law expects, and how families can make the holidays smoother for everyone involved.
Table of Contents
- Why holidays need their own custody plan
- Common holiday custody arrangements
- What Georgia courts look for
- How travel affects holiday parenting time
- When holiday plans conflict with the schedule
- How to make the holidays easier for your children
- When to talk to a family law attorney
Why holidays need their own custody plan
Holidays are not treated like regular parenting time in Georgia. Courts know that both parents want meaningful time during the most memorable parts of the year, so most parenting plans include a separate section for holiday schedules.
The holiday schedule always overrides the normal weekly routine. If your standard schedule says you have the children every other weekend, that rotation pauses during Thanksgiving, Christmas, winter break, and other listed holidays.
This is especially important for families in communities like Buckhead and Sandy Springs, where blended families, travel, and multiple households can make holiday logistics more complex. If your current plan is unclear or missing holiday terms, you can learn more about improving it here: Georgia Parenting Plan Modifications.
The most common holiday custody arrangements
Every family is different, but most Georgia plans use one of these structures:
1. Alternating holidays each year
One parent has Thanksgiving in even years, the other in odd years. The same rotation may apply to Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s, and other special dates.
2. Splitting the holiday itself
Some families divide Christmas Eve, Christmas morning, and Christmas afternoon so both parents enjoy meaningful time. This can work especially well for families in areas like Sandy Springs and Buckhead who live close enough to make same day transitions easy.
3. Dividing the school break
Winter break creates flexibility. Parents may alternate the first and second half each year or divide the break equally to support travel plans.
4. Fixed tradition based schedule
Some families keep certain traditions consistent every year. For example, one parent may always spend Christmas morning with the children while the other always spends Thanksgiving with extended family.
If your plan does not clearly outline these arrangements, you can review Georgia custody expectations here: Atlanta Custody Agreements.
What Georgia courts look for
Georgia courts focus on the child’s best interests. When reviewing or modifying holiday schedules, judges consider:
- The child’s age and emotional needs
- The level of structure and predictability
- Travel time and logistics
- How well the parents communicate
- The child’s school schedule and activities
- Any history of conflict or unreliable behavior
The goal is always to ensure that children enjoy a stable, joyful holiday experience.
How travel affects holiday parenting time
Holiday travel is common, especially for families who have relatives outside Atlanta or who host traditions in Buckhead, Sandy Springs, or surrounding areas. Travel can create friction if parents are not aligned, so most Georgia parenting plans require parents to:
- Share travel itineraries in advance
- Provide flight, lodging, and contact details
- Maintain reasonable communication with the child during travel
- Return the child on time
If your parenting plan does not outline rules for holiday travel, it may be time to update it. Many parents seek parenting plan modifications when travel disputes become repeated issues.
When holiday plans conflict with the custody schedule
New relationships, job changes, extended family traditions, and long distance travel can all affect holiday expectations. When those expectations conflict with the court ordered schedule, parents have two realistic options:
1. Agree to a temporary adjustment
If both parents agree to swap days or adjust pickup times, that is perfectly fine. Just put the agreement in writing, even if it is a simple email confirming the change.
2. Modify the parenting plan
When the holiday schedule no longer fits your family’s reality, you may need a modification based on a material change in circumstances, such as:
- A parent moving into or out of areas like Sandy Springs or Buckhead
- Significant job or schedule changes
- Communication issues or repeated holiday conflict
- A child’s evolving needs
Because modifications take time, it is smart to begin the process well before the next holiday season. Learn more here: Custody and Parenting Plan Modifications in Georgia.
How to make the holidays easier for your children
The holidays can be emotionally intense for kids, especially in two household families. A few small steps can calm a lot of stress:
- Keep your children out of parent based decisions. They should never feel pressure to choose between households.
- Share the schedule early. Kids feel safe when they know where they will be and when.
- Create your own traditions. Children love consistency, not specific dates.
- Be flexible when it helps the child. School events and family gatherings do not always fall on your scheduled days.
- Use communication apps when needed. Tools like OurFamilyWizard help reduce conflict.
When to talk to a family law attorney
You should consider speaking with a family law attorney if:
- Your co parent is not following the holiday schedule
- You need travel permission and cannot get agreement
- Conflict happens every holiday season
- You want changes made before next year
- This is your first holiday season after divorce and nothing feels clear
Families in Atlanta, Buckhead, and Sandy Springs often come to us before or after the holiday season to get a parenting plan that offers more stability and less stress.
For a clear overview of custody planning, start here: Atlanta Custody Agreements.
To explore whether your parenting plan needs an update, visit: Georgia Parenting Plan Modifications.
If you live in or near Sandy Springs, you can also learn more about our services here: Sandy Springs Divorce Lawyer.
Ready to talk? Contact Barnhart Family Law for guidance that helps your family enjoy a calmer, more predictable holiday season.