Navigating Holiday Parenting Time in Indiana: A Clear Guide to the Guidelines
Introduction: The Challenges of Holiday Parenting Time
For divorced or separated parents, holiday parenting time can be one of the most emotionally challenging aspects of co-parenting. The holiday season should be a time of joy for children, but when parents struggle to agree on schedules, it can create unnecessary stress and conflict.
To help minimize disputes, Indiana follows the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines (IPTG), which outline how holiday parenting time should be divided to ensure both parents have meaningful time with their child.
📌 This guide explains how holiday parenting time is structured in Indiana, what to expect, and how to handle potential conflicts.
📞 Have questions about your holiday parenting schedule? Contact Vining Legal LLC at (317) 759-3225 or schedule a consultation today.
Understanding the Basics of Indiana Holiday Parenting Time
A. Holiday Parenting Time Takes Precedence
One of the most important rules in Indiana’s holiday parenting time guidelines is that holidays take priority over regular parenting time schedules.
✔ If a holiday falls on a parent's scheduled weekend, the holiday schedule overrides it.
✔ If a parent gets two consecutive weekends due to a holiday, they will also receive the following third weekend to balance out the alternating schedule.
✔ Missed weekends due to holidays do not get "made up" later.
📌 TIP: Understanding this principle can help avoid confusion and unnecessary disputes.
B. Determining the Right Holiday Calendar
How holiday parenting time is determined depends on:
✔ The child's school calendar – The district where the child primarily resides will set the school calendar for determining holidays.
✔ If a child is not yet in school – The local school district's calendar is used.
✔ Equal parenting time cases – The school calendar of the parent paying controlled expenses applies.
📌 TIP: Parents should check their child’s school schedule early to prevent last-minute conflicts over holiday breaks.
Special Days: Specific Holiday Provisions
A. Mother’s Day & Father’s Day
✔ Mother’s Day Weekend – The child spends the full weekend with the mother, from Friday at 6:00 P.M. to Sunday at 6:00 P.M.
✔ Father’s Day Weekend – The child spends the full weekend with the father, from Friday at 6:00 P.M. to Sunday at 6:00 P.M.
📌 TIP: Even if these weekends break the normal alternating schedule, the holiday schedule takes priority.
B. Child’s Birthday
✔ In even-numbered years, the noncustodial parent has the child on their birthday from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M., or 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on school days.
✔ In odd-numbered years, the custodial parent has the child on their birthday.
✔ If the birthday falls within another holiday, that holiday schedule takes priority.
📌 TIP: Parents should plan a separate celebration if they do not have the child on their birthday.
C. Parent’s Birthday
✔ The child spends 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. with the parent celebrating their birthday (or 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. if on a school day).
✔ If the parent’s birthday falls within a holiday schedule, the holiday parenting time takes priority.
📌 TIP: Parents should communicate in advance to minimize conflicts and ensure both parents get time with their child.
Christmas Vacation Parenting Time
A. Dividing Christmas Break
✔ Christmas vacation starts on the last day of school and ends the day before school resumes.
✔ The break is split in half, with each parent alternating who gets the first half or second half each year.
✔ Christmas Day Parenting Time: If a parent does not have the child for Christmas Day under their half of the schedule, they receive parenting time from Noon to 9:00 P.M.
📌 TIP: New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are NOT considered separate holidays under the guidelines.
Other Holiday Parenting Time in Indiana
A. Holidays in Even-Numbered Years (Noncustodial Parent)
✔ Martin Luther King Jr. Day (if observed) – Friday 6:00 P.M. to Monday 6:00 P.M.
✔ Presidents’ Day (if observed) – Friday 6:00 P.M. to Monday 6:00 P.M.
✔ Memorial Day – Friday 6:00 P.M. to Monday 6:00 P.M.
✔ Labor Day – Friday 6:00 P.M. to Monday 6:00 P.M.
✔ Thanksgiving – Wednesday 6:00 P.M. to Sunday 6:00 P.M.
B. Holidays in Odd-Numbered Years (Noncustodial Parent)
✔ Spring Break – Entire break from Friday 6:00 P.M. to Sunday before school resumes.
✔ Easter – Friday 6:00 P.M. to Sunday 6:00 P.M.
✔ Fourth of July – July 3 at 6:00 P.M. to July 5 at 6:00 P.M.
✔ Fall Break – Entire break from Friday 6:00 P.M. to Sunday before school resumes.
✔ Halloween – Halloween evening from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
📌 TIP: These holiday schedules override regular weekend parenting time.
Religious Holidays & Flexibility
A. Religious Considerations
✔ Religious holidays not included in the IPTG can be added by agreement between parents.
✔ Courts encourage flexibility when scheduling religious holidays.
B. Commentary on Fairness
✔ The IPTG aims to provide both parents with equal time over a two-year period.
✔ Parents should work together to ensure fair holiday time for both households.
📌 TIP: Courts prefer cooperative co-parenting over legal battles.
Practical Tips for Managing Holiday Parenting Time
A. Communication & Cooperation
✔ Plan early to avoid last-minute conflicts.
✔ Use co-parenting apps for scheduling and communication.
B. Prioritizing the Child’s Well-Being
✔ Be flexible and focus on creating positive holiday experiences.
✔ Avoid speaking negatively about the other parent around the child.
C. Legal Assistance for Holiday Disputes
✔ If conflicts arise, consulting a family law attorney can help clarify rights and resolve disputes.
✔ Mediation or modification of orders may be needed if disputes are frequent.
📞 Need help with holiday parenting time issues? Contact Vining Legal LLC at (317) 759-3225 for legal guidance.
Conclusion: Making Holiday Parenting Time Work
✔ Understand Indiana’s Parenting Time Guidelines to avoid conflicts.
✔ Plan ahead and communicate clearly with the other parent.
✔ Seek legal guidance if disputes arise.
📞 Need help? Call Vining Legal LLC at (317) 759-3225 or schedule a consultation today!