by admin | Oct 15, 2026 | Blog, Child Custody, Child Custody Lawyer, Holiday Parenting Schedule, Parenting Time, Travel Consent Letter, Winter Break
For separated parents, the holiday season can bring as much stress as joy. Who has the children on Christmas Eve? Who gets New Year’s? Can one parent take the kids to see grandparents in another province — or overseas — over winter break?
The best time to answer these questions is now, not in mid-December. Holiday disputes that start late often end in rushed, expensive emergency applications. As an experienced Child Custody Lawyer in Edmonton, David Kolinsky helps parents put clear, child-focused holiday plans in place well before the season begins.
📞 Need a holiday parenting plan in place before December? Call Kolinsky Law at +1 (780)-757-6400.
How Alberta Courts Approach Holiday Parenting Time
Under both the federal Divorce Act and Alberta’s Family Law Act, every parenting decision is based on the best interests of the child. For holidays, that usually means:
- Children should have meaningful time with both parents over important occasions
- Family traditions and extended family relationships matter
- Stability is important — the holiday plan should not throw a child’s routine into chaos
- A child’s age and wishes may be considered, depending on maturity
Holiday terms in a parenting order usually override the regular weekly schedule for the dates they cover, so the wording matters.
🌐 Learn more about parenting arrangements: Visit our Child Custody page
Common Holiday Parenting Schedules
There is no single “right” schedule. The most common options include:
- Alternating years: One parent has Christmas in even years, the other in odd years. Simple and predictable.
- Splitting the day: Christmas Eve to Christmas morning with one parent, Christmas afternoon onward with the other. Works best when parents live close together.
- Splitting winter break in half: Each parent gets one uninterrupted week, with the switch date alternating each year.
- Fixed holidays: Each parent always has the same holiday — useful when families celebrate different traditions or faiths.
- Long-distance plans: One parent has most of winter break in exchange for other holidays, such as spring break or extended summer time.
Whichever model you choose, spell out exact dates, times and exchange locations — vague terms like “half of Christmas” invite conflict.
📝 Want help drafting a clear holiday schedule? Fill out our contact form.
Holiday Travel With Your Children
Travel is one of the most common holiday flashpoints. Before booking anything, check your parenting order or agreement for travel terms. Good practice includes:
- Giving written notice of travel dates, destinations and accommodation well in advance
- Getting written consent from the other parent for out-of-province or international trips
- Carrying a consent letter when travelling abroad without the other parent — the Government of Canada recommends one, and border officials may ask for it
- Confirming passports — a child’s passport application generally requires both guardians’ involvement unless a court order says otherwise
- Respecting the other parent’s time — a trip should not swallow the other parent’s holiday days without agreement
A short holiday trip is different from a relocation. If a move is being considered, separate notice rules apply — speak to a lawyer early.
📧 Planning holiday travel with your children? Email [email protected] for advice.
What If Your Ex Won’t Follow the Holiday Schedule?
If the other parent refuses to return the children, withholds holiday time, or changes plans at the last minute:
- Stay calm in front of the children and avoid confrontations at exchanges.
- Document everything — dates, messages and missed exchanges.
- Communicate in writing through text, email or a co-parenting app.
- Speak to a lawyer promptly. Courts can order make-up parenting time, enforce an existing order and, in serious cases, impose further consequences.
Under Alberta’s Family-Focused Protocol, urgent parenting issues may still be brought before the court quickly — but the earlier you act, the more options you have.
📞 Holiday time being withheld? Call +1 (780)-757-6400 right away.
Tips for a Calmer Holiday Season for Your Children
- Agree early — aim to confirm holiday plans by early November
- Keep children out of negotiations — never ask them to choose or carry messages
- Coordinate gifts to avoid competition or duplication
- Allow calls or video chats with the other parent on key days
- Be flexible with travel delays and weather — an Alberta winter can disrupt exchanges
⭐ See why families trust our custody team — read our 5-star Google reviews.
How Kolinsky Law Can Help
At Kolinsky Law, our Child Custody Lawyers in Edmonton help parents create and enforce holiday arrangements that work for real families. We:
- Draft detailed holiday and travel terms for parenting plans and orders
- Negotiate holiday schedules through mediation or collaborative law
- Prepare travel consent and notice documents
- Bring urgent applications when holiday time is withheld
- Vary outdated parenting orders that no longer fit your family
📝 Get your holiday plan settled now — contact our child custody team.
About the Lawyer – David Kolinsky – Child Custody Lawyer in Edmonton
David Kolinsky is the founder and principal lawyer of Kolinsky Law, a results-driven family law practice in Edmonton, Alberta. An Edmonton native, David earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Toronto and practised law in Ontario from 2005 to 2012 before returning to Alberta in 2013. He is a member of both the Alberta and Ontario Bars and has extensive experience representing clients at the trial and appellate levels. David helps parents through every type of parenting dispute — from building first parenting plans to enforcing orders and handling child mobility cases — always with a focus on the child’s best interests and practical, lasting solutions.
🌐 Learn more about our firm at kolinsky.ca.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How is Christmas usually divided between separated parents in Alberta?
A1. Common options are alternating Christmas each year, splitting Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, or dividing winter break in half. The right choice depends on your children’s ages, distance between homes and family traditions.
Q2. Does the holiday schedule override the regular parenting schedule?
A2. Usually, yes. Most parenting orders state that holiday terms take priority over the regular schedule for the dates they cover. Check the exact wording of your order or agreement.
Q3. Do I need the other parent’s permission to travel with my child over the holidays?
A3. It depends on your parenting order, but for out-of-province or international travel, written consent is strongly recommended. A consent letter is advised whenever a child travels abroad without the other parent.
Q4. What can I do if my ex keeps the children over my holiday time?
A4. Document what happened and contact a lawyer promptly. Alberta courts can enforce parenting orders and order make-up time, and urgent matters can be brought forward quickly.
Q5. Can my child decide where to spend Christmas?
A5. A child’s wishes can be considered, with more weight given as children get older and more mature, but the final decision is based on the child’s best interests.
Q6. What if we don’t have a parenting order yet?
A6. You can still reach a written holiday agreement through negotiation or mediation. If you cannot agree, a court can make an order — starting early avoids last-minute stress.
Q7. Do I need a child custody lawyer in Edmonton for a holiday schedule?
A7. A lawyer helps you draft clear, enforceable terms, handle travel and consent issues, and act quickly if the other parent does not follow the plan.
📧 More questions? Email [email protected] — we’re here to help.
Give Your Children a Peaceful Holiday Season
A clear holiday parenting plan gives children something every family wants this time of year — certainty and calm. Start the conversation early and get the terms in writing.
📞 Talk to an Edmonton child custody lawyer today: +1 (780)-757-6400.
For compassionate, practical guidance on every parenting issue, let Kolinsky Law be your trusted partner this holiday season and beyond.
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by admin | Jun 26, 2026 | Blog, Child Custody, Family Lawyer
When parents separate, determining how responsibilities for their children will be shared is often one of the most important legal considerations. In Alberta, the traditional term “custody” has largely been replaced by two concepts: parenting time and decision-making responsibility. While these terms are related, they address different aspects of a child’s care after separation.
Parenting time focuses on when a child is in the care of each parent, whereas decision-making responsibility relates to important choices about the child’s upbringing. Understanding the distinction can help parents create effective arrangements that support their child’s best interests.
Need guidance on parenting arrangements? Contact Kolinsky Law today at +1 (780) 757-6400
What Is Parenting Time?
Parenting time refers to the period when a child is under a parent’s care. During this time, the parent is responsible for the child’s daily needs, routines, supervision, and other day-to-day decisions. However, parenting time does not automatically grant authority to make major decisions about the child’s future.
Parenting arrangements vary based on each family’s circumstances. Some children spend significant time with both parents, while others primarily live with one parent. Alberta courts do not apply a standard schedule and instead focus on arrangements that serve the child’s best interests, promote stability, and support meaningful relationships with both parents whenever appropriate.
Learn how our Child Custody Lawyers in Edmonton can help protect your parenting rights.
What Is Decision-Making Responsibility?
Decision-making responsibility refers to the authority to make major decisions about a child’s life, including education, healthcare, religion, and other important matters. Parents may share this responsibility and make decisions together, or one parent may be given primary authority when cooperation is not practical or in the child’s best interests.
This responsibility is separate from parenting time. A parent may spend significant time with a child while major decisions are made jointly, or one parent may have greater decision-making authority while both maintain meaningful relationships with the child. In complex disputes, a Child Custody Lawyer Edmonton Alberta families trust can provide valuable legal guidance.
Speak with an experienced Edmonton child custody lawyer—book your confidential consultation today.
Can Parents Share Both Responsibilities?
In many cases, parents successfully share both parenting time and decision-making responsibility after separation. Shared arrangements often work best when parents can communicate effectively, respect one another’s roles, and focus on their child’s well-being.
However, shared arrangements do not necessarily mean equal parenting time. The amount of time a child spends with each parent may vary while decision-making authority remains joint. The law recognizes that every family has unique circumstances, and flexibility is often necessary to create arrangements that serve the child’s needs.
Get practical legal advice tailored to your family’s unique situation—call +1 (780) 757-6400 today.
How Alberta Courts Determine Parenting Arrangements
When parents are unable to agree on parenting arrangements, Alberta courts make decisions based on what is in the child’s best interests. This guiding principle applies to all matters involving children under family law.
To determine an appropriate arrangement, courts may evaluate factors such as the child’s emotional and physical needs, the nature of the child’s relationship with each parent, each parent’s involvement in caregiving, the child’s preferences when appropriate, and the ability of each parent to support the child’s relationship with the other parent.
The goal is to establish a parenting arrangement that provides stability, security, and a supportive environment for the child’s growth and well-being.
Unsure how Alberta courts may view your case? Contact Kolinsky Law for experienced legal guidance.
Why a Clear Parenting Plan Matters
A detailed parenting plan can help prevent misunderstandings and reduce future conflict. Parenting plans often address schedules, holidays, communication methods, travel arrangements, decision-making procedures, and dispute-resolution processes.
Clear expectations provide consistency for children and help parents navigate changes more effectively. At Kolinsky Law, we regularly assist families in developing practical parenting arrangements that protect children’s interests while reducing unnecessary disputes. As experienced Family Lawyers Edmonton families rely on, we understand the importance of creating solutions that work both legally and practically.
Create a parenting plan that works for your family—schedule a consultation with Kolinsky Law today.
Conclusion
Parenting time and decision-making responsibility are distinct but closely connected aspects of parenting after separation. A clear understanding of both concepts enables parents to make informed choices that contribute to their child’s overall well-being. Whether through negotiation or court proceedings, the primary focus remains the same: ensuring that children have the stability, care, and support they need to thrive.
Ready to protect your parental rights? Email [email protected]
FAQs
Q1. What is the difference between parenting time and decision-making responsibility in Alberta?
A1. Parenting time refers to the time a child spends in each parent’s care, while decision-making responsibility involves making major decisions about the child’s education, healthcare, religion, and overall upbringing.
Q2. Can one parent have more parenting time while both parents share decision-making responsibility?
A2. Yes. Alberta law allows parents to share decision-making responsibility even if the child spends more time with one parent.
Q3. How do Alberta courts determine parenting arrangements?
A3. Courts consider the child’s best interests, including emotional and physical needs, relationships with each parent, caregiving history, stability, and each parent’s willingness to support the child’s relationship with the other parent.
Q4. What is included in a parenting plan in Alberta?
A4. A parenting plan typically covers parenting schedules, holidays, transportation, communication, travel, decision-making responsibilities, and dispute resolution methods.
Q5. Can parenting arrangements be changed after a court order?
A5. Yes. Parenting arrangements may be modified if there has been a material change in circumstances and the proposed changes are in the child’s best interests.
Q6. Is parenting time the same as custody in Alberta?
A6. No. Alberta family law has largely replaced the term “custody” with parenting time and decision-making responsibility to better define parental roles.
Q7. Do parents have to share decision-making responsibility?
A7. Not always. Depending on the circumstances and the child’s best interests, one parent may be granted sole decision-making responsibility.
Q8. Do I need a lawyer for parenting time or decision-making disputes?
A8. While not legally required, an experienced family lawyer can help negotiate parenting arrangements, prepare parenting plans, and represent your interests if court proceedings become necessary.
Q9. Can grandparents or other family members receive parenting time in Alberta?
A9. In certain situations, grandparents or other significant individuals may apply for contact or parenting-related orders if doing so serves the child’s best interests.
Q10. Why should I choose Kolinsky Law for child custody matters in Edmonton?
A10. Kolinsky Law provides practical, strategic legal guidance tailored to your family’s circumstances, helping parents protect their rights while prioritizing the best interests of their children.
About David Kolinsky & How He Can Help
David Kolinsky is an experienced Edmonton family lawyer dedicated to helping parents navigate child custody, parenting time, decision-making responsibility, parenting plans, and other complex family law matters throughout Alberta. He takes a practical, client-focused approach, providing clear legal advice while working to achieve solutions that prioritize the best interests of children. Whether you are negotiating a parenting agreement, modifying an existing order, or resolving a dispute through the courts, David Kolinsky can help you understand your legal rights and confidently move forward.
To learn how he can assist with your family law matter, call +1 (780) 757-6400. You can also read our clients’ 5-star reviews here: https://g.page/kolinskylaw.
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