For separated or divorced parents, Thanksgiving is one of the most emotionally loaded—and logistically complicated—holidays on the calendar. It’s not just about turkey and traditions; it’s about parenting time, travel plans, and doing what’s best for your child while navigating two households.
So how do you plan a holiday that avoids conflict and keeps your child at the center of it all?
Holiday Schedules Start With Your Parenting Plan
In Colorado, parenting time agreements are typically guided by the best interests of the child, as outlined in CRS § 14-10-124. Most agreements include holiday-specific schedules that override the regular weekly rotation.
Thanksgiving is commonly split by:
- Alternating years (Parent A gets odd years, Parent B gets even)
- Splitting the long weekend (e.g., one parent gets Thursday-Friday, the other gets Saturday-Sunday)
- Shared time with scheduled transitions during the break
But complications arise when travel, family commitments, or differing expectations are layered on top.
Travel Can Disrupt the Best-Laid Plans
Whether it’s a road trip to Grandma’s house or a flight across the country, travel is a frequent source of tension:
- Flights and delays – One parent books a return flight that cuts into the other’s time, or weather causes an unexpected shift in plans.
- Long-distance parenting – For out-of-state parents, Thanksgiving may be one of the few annual opportunities for in-person time.
- Unilateral planning – One parent books a trip or makes plans without consulting the other, leading to resentment or formal disputes.
Your parenting plan should account for travel by:
- Setting deadlines for notifying the other parent of holiday travel plans
- Establishing pickup and drop-off logistics clearly
- Including contingencies for delays or emergencies
Keep the Focus Where It Belongs: Your Child
It’s easy for co-parents to get caught up in what feels “fair.” But courts (and children) care more about what feels stable, low-conflict, and supportive.
To support your child’s experience:
- Don’t use Thanksgiving as a battleground for old grievances
- Honor the existing parenting plan unless you both agree otherwise
- Let your child enjoy time with both sides of the family—without guilt or pressure
- Maintain consistent traditions or create new ones they can look forward to
Can You Change the Schedule? Maybe.
If your current agreement doesn’t account for holiday travel—or isn’t working—it may be time to update it. Under CRS § 14-10-129, modifications to parenting time must be based on a substantial and continuing change in circumstances.
Holiday travel alone might not meet that threshold—but a recurring pattern of holiday conflict, logistical breakdowns, or emotional distress for the child might. An attorney can help assess whether a formal change is worth pursuing.
How Boal Law Helps Co-Parents Navigate the Holidays
At Boal Law, we help clients make Thanksgiving work—whether that means negotiating travel-friendly plans, enforcing holiday schedules, or seeking court intervention when necessary. We prioritize:
- Crafting parenting plans that anticipate real-life holiday stressors
- Advising on modification strategies that courts actually approve
- Protecting your child’s well-being while preserving your parenting rights
Thanksgiving Shouldn’t Feel Like a Custody Crisis
With the right planning—and the right legal support—Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be tense. If you’re dreading the logistics, Boal Law can help you approach the holiday with more confidence, less conflict, and a clear plan that puts your child first.