Mother's Day and Father's Day Custody

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In short

Many plans give the parent being celebrated the day, from morning to evening, even when it falls on the other parent's weekend. Families with two moms or two dads, a stepparent, or a parent who has died can adapt the idea so it fits.

When it falls

In the US, Mother's Day is the second Sunday of May and Father's Day is the third Sunday of June, so both always land on a weekend. In Mexico and much of Latin America, Mother's Day (Día de las Madres) is May 10 every year, whatever the weekday. If your family celebrates on another date, name it in the plan.

Dates, 2026 to 2028

Mother's Day (US): Sunday, May 10, 2026
Father's Day (US): Sunday, June 21, 2026
Mother's Day (US): Sunday, May 9, 2027
Father's Day (US): Sunday, June 20, 2027
Mother's Day (US): Sunday, May 14, 2028
Father's Day (US): Sunday, June 18, 2028

Typical arrangements

Full day with the parent being celebrated

Children spend the day (or the weekend) with the parent being celebrated, regardless of whose regular weekend it is. The most common arrangement.

Afternoon-only

Children spend 10 AM to 6 PM with the parent being celebrated; the regular schedule resumes that evening. Less disruptive if the regular-schedule parent had travel plans.

Sample plan wording

Example wording to adapt, not legal advice. Use your own names, times, and places, and check what is required where you live.

The day with the parent being celebrated

Regardless of the regular schedule, the children spend Mother's Day with their mother and Father's Day with their father, from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Afternoon only

On Mother's Day and Father's Day, the parent being celebrated has the children from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The regular schedule applies before and after.

Two moms or two dads

Mother's Day (or Father's Day) alternates between the parents by year: Parent A in even-numbered years and Parent B in odd-numbered years, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The parent without it that year may choose another Sunday in the same month, with 30 days' notice.

What to decide in advance

Exact times. Name the start and end, such as 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and whether it includes the Saturday night before.
When it lands on the other parent's weekend. Say plainly that the celebrated parent has those hours and how the weekend picks back up afterward.
When the labels don't fit. Two moms, two dads, a stepparent, or a grandparent raising the kids: name the day for each person in your own words.
If a parent has died or isn't involved. Keep the day gentle and flexible, and ask the children how they'd like to mark it.
Pickup and drop-off. Say where and who drives. If there is a protection order, its terms on exchanges come first, and handoffs can happen at a safe public place or through a trusted third party.

By age

General guidance only. Every child is different, and what fits can change as they grow.

Under 5: Little ones need an adult's help to celebrate. Offering that help for the other parent's day is one of the kindest things co-parents do.
Ages 5 to 12: School crafts often come home in May and June. Make sure the card reaches the right home in time.
Teens: Teens may want to plan the day themselves. Give them room, and keep the time on paper so nobody is left guessing.

Common conflict scenarios

The parent being celebrated is traveling or unavailable that day.

Some plans offer a make-up window: that parent can request the next weekend or a specific alternate day. Others say 'if the parent waives the day, the regular schedule applies.'

Two moms, two dads, or other families where 'Mother's Day' and 'Father's Day' don't fit cleanly.

Plans can name a day for each parent instead, such as alternating the holiday by year or letting each parent choose a date. Write it down to avoid negotiating every year.

Frequently asked questions

What if Mother's Day or Father's Day falls on the other parent's weekend?

Generally, if your plan lists the day, the holiday schedule overrides the regular rotation for those hours, and the regular weekend picks up again afterward. If the plan doesn't mention it, the regular schedule usually applies.

How do two moms or two dads handle the day?

Some alternate the holiday by year and give the other parent a different Sunday. Others let each parent choose their own day. Either works if it's written down.

What if a parent has passed away?

There's no single right way. Many families let the children decide how to mark the day, whether with a relative, a visit to a meaningful place, or a quiet day, and keep it low-pressure.

Does the other parent get make-up time?

Usually not. Since each parent gets their own day, many plans treat these as short holidays without make-up time. If you want make-up time, write it in.

Put it in your plan and on your calendar

In CoreParent's plan builder, Mother's Day and Father's Day are separate common holidays: set each to always go with one parent, or to alternate or split, and add times in the holiday notes. You can also add a custom holiday in your own words. On your calendar, Mother's Day and Father's Day go to the parent the plan gives them to, in place of the regular rotation. Share it with your co-parent, or keep it to yourself.