Thanksgiving Day Parenting Time for Dad

Celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, Thanksgiving Day should be included in your holiday schedule.

If Thanksgiving Day falls during Mom's time according to your regular parenting schedule, there are many ways you can add in time for Dad (or vice versa).

Thanksgiving schedule options

Parents can agree to any Thanksgiving Day parenting time arrangement that works for their situation, such as the following options.

Split Thanksgiving Day

You can split Thanksgiving Day between each parent. For example, the child spends the morning with the parent who has custody on Wednesday night and then spends the afternoon and evening with the other parent.

The potential drawback to this arrangement is that only one parent gets to see the child during the afternoon and evening, when most Thanksgiving dinners take place.

Give one parent Thanksgiving Day

Your child can spend the entire day with one parent. For example, the child might spend all of Thanksgiving Day and night with Dad, and then the rest of Thanksgiving weekend with Mom.

Schedule the holiday twice

Some parents agree to schedule two holiday celebrations with the kids. For example, Mom celebrates Thanksgiving with the children the weekend before, and then the child is with Dad on Thanksgiving Day.

Alternate yearly

Many parents alternate who has Thanksgiving Day each year. Your child might spend Thanksgiving Day with you in even-numbered years and with the other parent in odd-numbered years.

Celebrate together

If parents can spend time together without conflict, they can celebrate Thanksgiving Day together with their child.

Use the court's standard schedule

When parents can't agree on their parenting time schedule, the court decides in a custody hearing or trial. Many states issue a standard visitation schedule that includes Thanksgiving Day.

For more information, see our guide to visitation in your location.

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.