Thanksgiving and Winter Break Are Coming: Time to Review Your Parenting Plan

Holiday plans often look simple until two households must fit them together. Thanksgiving, school release days, travel, and winter break can all land within a few weeks, and each parent may remember the schedule differently. Creating your parenting plan now can settle those questions before you book flights and make promises to the kids. 

A Washington parenting plan is a court order, and its holiday provisions usually take priority over the regular weekly schedule. At Keystone Family Law, we help parents in Vancouver, Washington, and throughout Clark County understand their plans, identify gaps, and decide next steps. If the holidays are close and something looks unclear, reach out to learn your options. 

What Your Parenting Plan Says About Holidays

Washington law requires a parenting plan to include a residential schedule that addresses holidays, birthdays, vacations, and other special occasions. In practice, that means the answer to "whose turn is it?" should be written in your plan. 

Start by finding the holiday section and reading it closely, since details cause disagreements. Look for: 

• Which holidays are listed, and whether each one alternates by year or stays with one parent. 

• Start and end times, plus where exchanges happen. 

• How winter break is divided, such as in halves or by alternating years. 

• Any rules about travel, including notice or itinerary requirements. 

What If the Plan Is Unclear?

Some plans say winter break will be "shared equally" without naming dates or exchange times. That leaves room for each parent to interpret the language differently, which can be frustrating when children are waiting to hear the plan. 

If the wording is vague, parents can often agree on specifics, and putting that agreement in writing helps. Keep in mind that a casual agreement does not change the court order. Either parent may later ask to follow the plan as written, so be careful about what you accept. 

Can You Change the Holiday Schedule?

For one holiday, parents can sometimes swap days by agreement, such as moving a Thanksgiving dinner to Friday so grandparents can attend. A short written message confirming the details can prevent confusion later. A one-time swap does not rewrite the plan. 

Changing the plan itself is a different process. Under RCW 26.09.260, modifying a parenting plan generally requires showing a substantial change in circumstances, and the court looks at what is best for the child. Limited exceptions exist, and outcomes depend on the facts, so it helps to have someone review the specifics before you file anything. 

Steps to Take Before the Holidays Start

Preparing early gives you time to work things out calmly. A few practical steps can make the season smoother: 

• Read the holiday section and mark every date and exchange time on a calendar. 

• Check your child's school calendar for the exact first and last days of break. 

• Send the other parent a specific, written proposal if you want to adjust anything. 

• Keep messages brief, civil, and factual. 

If the plan is silent on something important, or you keep reaching a standstill, our Washington child custody attorney can explain what the order requires and what options may be available. Waiting until the week before a holiday leaves little room to resolve a dispute through the court if one is needed. 

What If the Other Parent Does Not Follow the Plan?

Missing a holiday with your child can be painful, and it can be hard to know how to respond. Courts have tools to enforce parenting plans, including contempt proceedings under RCW 26.09.160. Whether that is appropriate depends on what happened and what your plan says. 

Records matter if a problem develops. Save texts and emails, and note the dates and times of missed exchanges or last-minute cancellations. The same rules apply to you, so avoid keeping a child from the other parent, even if you believe the other side has broken the plan. 

Plan Ahead With a Family Law Attorney

A holiday schedule works best when both parents know what the order says before the season begins. Review the plan, confirm dates, and put any agreed changes in writing to keep a disagreement from escalating to a court filing. 

At Keystone Family Law, we represent parents in custody and parenting plan matters across Clark County, and our Vancouver, Washington, office is available if your holiday schedule raises questions. Our attorney, Courtney Himes, can review your current order, explain what it means in plain English, and talk through possible next steps. Contact us to schedule a consultation before the holidays.