Spring Break Custody Schedules

Spring break gives each parent a realistic window for family travel. Most parenting plans alternate years rather than splitting the week — travel logistics make halves hard.

Typical Arrangements

Alternating full weeks

Parent A takes even years, Parent B takes odd years. Full 9-day span (including both weekends). Each parent can plan a real vacation every other year.

Split week

First half with one parent, second half with the other. Works when both parents are local and neither plans to travel. Less common due to travel logistics.

Follow regular schedule

Spring break follows the regular week-on-week-off or 2-2-5-5 calendar. Only works when the regular schedule naturally produces roughly equal coverage and neither parent has trip plans.

Common Conflict Scenarios

One parent wants to fly out of state (or country) during their spring break.

Parenting plans should require written travel itinerary (flights, hotel, return info) 30 days in advance. Interstate is usually notice-only; international may require co-parent consent, especially for under-16s who need a consent letter for customs.

School trip offered during spring break that conflicts with the off-parent's time.

Plans should specify: school trips take priority over custody time, and the off-parent gets make-up time. Spell this out — it avoids annual arguments.