Holiday and Special-Day Schedules in Ohio Parenting Orders: Swaps, Tie-Breakers, and Make-Up Time — An Educational Overview
- Oct 28
- 5 min read
By Andrew Russ, Ohio Father’s Rights Attorney
Purpose of this overview: This article describes common ways families organize holidays and special days in parenting orders. It is informational only and does not recommend any particular arrangement or provide legal advice.
What “holiday & special-day time” often refers to
In many parenting orders, holidays, school breaks, and family milestones are listed separately from the regular weekly routine. Examples frequently seen in schedules include:
Fixed-date holidays: e.g., January 1, July 4.
Floating holidays: e.g., Thanksgiving, Memorial Day.
School breaks: winter/spring breaks, sometimes tied to a specific school district calendar.
Religious observances: defined by each family’s traditions.
Family milestones: a child’s birthday; Mother’s Day/Father’s Day.
School-defined days: in-service days, early releases, or make-up days.
These labels are organizational tools. The exact definitions and times vary from order to order.
Examples of holiday frameworks families commonly use
These examples show how some schedules are organized. They are not recommendations.
1) Even/Odd Year Alternation: Holidays alternate by calendar year. For instance, one parent has Thanksgiving in even-numbered years and the other in odd-numbered years.
2) A/B Holiday Sets: Holidays are grouped into two balanced lists (Set A and Set B). Parents alternate sets annually, which distributes fall/winter/spring events across years.
3) Fixed Assignments with Alternation Elsewhere: Certain days (e.g., Mother’s Day/Father’s Day) are with the honored parent each year. Other holidays alternate or follow a different pattern.
4) School-Calendar Anchoring: Start and end times for breaks track the child’s official school calendar (for example, pickup at school release on the day break begins).
Swaps: an organizational approach
Some families include a process for exchanging holiday time when circumstances change. Some schedules also include response windows (for instance, a request by a certain number of days in advance and a reply within a set timeframe). Families use these windows to keep planning predictable.
Narrow tie-breakers: what they’re meant to do
A “tie-breaker” in this context is a narrow rule that resolves a specific kind of stalemate without addressing broader decision-making. Examples sometimes used for logistics include:
Time-based default: If no response is recorded by a stated deadline, the existing schedule remains in place.
Possession-based logistics: While a parent has holiday time, that parent sets travel logistics within the stated hours and provides basic itinerary details.
Schedule-aligned default: When two compliant pickup times are proposed, the time that matches the school or activity schedule controls for that event.
These are examples, not endorsements. The scope and wording vary across families and orders.
“Make-up” or “compensatory” time: a balancing concept
Some parenting orders reference make-up time when holiday time is missed for reasons outside a parent’s control (for example, illness or weather disruptions). When included, the language often addresses:
A timeframe for using the make-up period (e.g., within a certain number of days).
Comparability (e.g., replacing overnights with overnights or hours with hours).
Calendar entries so both parents can track original and replacement time.
Exchange details (location, pickup/drop-off times).
The presence, timing, and form of any make-up provision vary by order.
Record-keeping many families find helpful
These are organizational practices some families use for clarity. They are not required steps.
Single shared calendar: Color-coding each parent’s time, labeling items like “Swap – ” or “Make-Up – .”
Consistent subject lines: e.g., “Swap Request – Winter Break,” “Confirm – Pickup Fri 6:00 PM.”
Attachment of schedules: Adding the relevant school/activity calendar to a message thread.
Simple message threads: Using one channel (such as a co-parenting app or email) to keep confirmations in one place.
Travel & exchange logistics: common reference points
Families often reduce uncertainty by anchoring exchanges to predictable moments and places. Examples include:
School-day exchanges: Pickup at school release when a break begins.
Non-school-day exchanges: A set hour (e.g., 6:00 PM) for pickup or drop-off.
Consistent locations: Child’s school, a parent’s residence, or another agreed spot.
Noting delays: Brief messages when traffic or weather affects arrival times.
Sharing itineraries: When traveling during holiday periods, some families share basic flight or lodging details in advance.
These are organizational examples; different schedules handle these points differently.
Special situations families sometimes plan for
Religious observances: Defining the observance window (for example, sunset-to-sunset) and noting whether it alternates or repeats annually.
Teens’ jobs/teams: Acknowledging older children’s work or team schedules in holiday planning.
Snow days/closures: Clarifying whether the parent with possession during a closure retains that day or whether the routine resumes based on weekday rules.
New family events: Recording emergent traditions via the swap process rather than rewriting established lists mid-season.
Example, plain-English clauses (non-legal, for organizational clarity only)
These samples are purely illustrative—not recommendations or legal language.
Thanksgiving: Alternates by year, Wed 6:00 PM → Sun 6:00 PM.
Winter Break (per school calendar): Split into “First Half” and “Second Half,” alternating annually.
Child’s Birthday: Time divided into two blocks on the day, with first choice alternating by year.
Mother’s Day/Father’s Day: With the honored parent annually.
Swap process (illustrative text)
A parent may request a holiday exchange a set number of days in advance. The other parent responds within a set window. Confirmed exchanges list dates, times, and exchange logistics and are added to the shared calendar.
Tie-breaker (logistics-only example)
If competing, compliant pickup times are proposed and no agreement is reached by the reply deadline, the time aligned to the child’s official school or activity schedule will be used for that event.
Make-up entry (organizational note)
Missed time recorded as “Missed – ”; replacement entry recorded as “Make-Up – ” with exchange details noted.
Reading list at https://www.andrewrusslaw.com/blog:
Educational overviews on enforcement/interference, right of first refusal (ROFR), supervised parenting time, and school/medical decision logistics pair naturally with holiday planning topics and documentation practices.
Important note
This article is for general educational purposes and organization ideas only. It does not recommend any particular terms, does not predict outcomes, and is not legal advice. For guidance on a specific situation, consulting a qualified professional is the appropriate next step.
How Andrew Russ Advocates for Ohio Fathers
Clear strategy from day one: We map the custody/visitation path that fits your goals and facts.
Focused evidence development: We identify the proof that matters—and cut what doesn’t.
Negotiation + litigation readiness: Many cases resolve with strong parenting plans; we’re prepared to try your case when necessary.
Local insight: Familiarity with Ohio courts and procedures helps us move efficiently and effectively.
Call Now:
Ready to take the next step? Schedule a strategy session with Andrew Russ, Ohio Family Law Attorney. Call (614) 907-1296 or complete our quick online consultation form to get started. Evening and virtual appointments available.
Legal Sources on Parenting Issues:
Ohio allocation of parental rights & shared parenting (R.C. 3109.04). (Ohio Laws)
Parenting time statute and scheduling (R.C. 3109.051). (Ohio Laws)
Presumptions and establishment of paternity (R.C. 3111.03). (Ohio Laws)
Paternity acknowledgment routes (Ohio Centralized Paternity Registry). (ODJFS)
Child support worksheet and definitions (R.C. 3119.022; 3119.01). (Ohio Laws)
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Disclaimer: This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Legal outcomes vary by facts and jurisdiction. Consult an attorney about your specific situation.
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Disclaimer: The blog and articles provide general educational information, are not legal advice, and do not create an attorney/client relationship. Legal outcomes vary by facts and jurisdiction. Consult an attorney about your specific situation.
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