Independence Day (Fourth of July) and 50/50 Custody

Independence Day (also called the Fourth of July) commemorates the day the United States declared itself an autonomous nation: July 4, 1776.

Family celebrations are an integral part of the holiday, so it's important parents figure out how they'll divide time with the kids. Parents can take any approach they agree on. Even if you have 50/50 custody, you don't have to split the day evenly, nor do you have to follow your usual parenting time arrangement.

Scheduling options

Independence Day coincides with summer vacation, so you may already have a special schedule in place for the kids. Nonetheless, you can override it with plans specifically for the Fourth of July. You have many options to choose from.

Give the day to one parent

You could designate the holiday to one parent. This is perfect if only one parent gets the day off or plans to celebrate.

You might let the other parent spend a day with the kids beforehand or afterward to keep things even.

Alternate the holiday yearly

Another option is to alternate who gets the holiday depending on whether it's an even- or odd-numbered year.

Alternate holidays within a year

Similarly, you could alternate who gets the holidays within a year. If Dad had the previous holiday, then Mom would get the Fourth.

Split the day

To make a schedule that reflects 50/50 custody, you could let the kids enjoy the first part of the holiday with one parent and the latter part with the other. In this example, the kids are with Mom from noon to 4 p.m. and with Dad from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Plan around holiday festivities

Fourth of July celebrations often include parades and fireworks displays. Consider allowing one parent to have the kids for the parade and a lunch barbecue and the other parent to have them for dinner and fireworks.

Celebrate together

Parents who have 50/50 custody and get along might consider celebrating the holiday together. Seeing parents together can be fulfilling for children. You could even include the kids in planning the family celebration.

The easiest way to make a holiday visitation schedule

There's a lot to think about when you build a holiday schedule. You'll want it to address weekend and midweek holidays, reflect special occasions unique to your family (like birthdays) and work for years to come.

The Custody X Change app makes it easy. Just open your Custody X Change calendar and follow our steps to make a holiday schedule.

To make a custody schedule quickly and affordably, turn to Custody X Change. You'll get written and visual versions that meet your family's needs, as well as court standards.