Kathy Minella

Co-parenting is a balancing act at the best of times, but navigating school breaks—especially in a city as vibrant and diverse as San Diego—can add new layers of complexity. Between varying school calendars, differing parenting styles, and the pressure to create memorable experiences for your children, crafting an effective and fair holiday schedule can feel overwhelming.

The good news?

With thoughtful planning, a cooperative mindset, and clear legal guidelines, you can design a co-parenting schedule that not only avoids conflict but enhances your child’s well-being during school breaks. At Minella Law Group, we’ve guided countless San Diego families through this process. Here’s our comprehensive, parent-tested approach.

Understanding the San Diego School Landscape

One of the first challenges parents face when planning around school holidays is the lack of uniformity among academic calendars. San Diego County is home to more than 40 public school districts, plus a large network of charter and private schools. While many follow a traditional schedule with classes beginning in late August and ending in early June, others follow year-round calendars with “track” systems that include more frequent breaks throughout the year.

This variation means that co-parents often need to coordinate schedules that account for different breaks—even between siblings who attend separate schools. Additionally, private schools may include extended religious holidays or unique academic trips that should be factored into the shared parenting plan.

To begin on the right foot, download the official academic calendar for your child’s school(s) and compare it with your own work schedule and that of your co-parent. Note any overlapping vacations, school in-service days, or long weekends that may require adjustments to your existing parenting schedule. Laying this groundwork helps both parents anticipate needs and reduces the potential for last-minute conflicts.

Building a Child-Centered Break Schedule

At the heart of every successful co-parenting plan is a commitment to prioritizing the best interests of your child. During school breaks, this commitment becomes especially important. Time off from school can be fun and restorative—but without a predictable schedule, it can also be confusing and stressful for children navigating two households.

Whenever possible, build in consistency. If your regular schedule includes week-on, week-off rotations, consider whether continuing that format during summer or holiday breaks provides the structure your child needs. Some families benefit from switching to longer blocks of time during summer—such as two-week rotations—allowing each parent to plan vacations, enroll the child in summer programs, and spend uninterrupted time together.

That said, consistency should not come at the expense of flexibility. Life happens. Travel opportunities, family events, and emergencies can all require adjustments to the agreed-upon schedule. The key is to build in a mechanism for flexibility: for example, allowing minor changes via mutual email agreement, or scheduling quarterly check-ins to review and revise plans based on what’s working.

Another often-overlooked component of a successful schedule is honoring your child’s voice—especially as they get older. While children do not have legal decision-making power, giving them some input (for instance, choosing between two camp options or voicing a preference for where they want to spend a holiday) can increase their comfort and buy-in.

Popular Break-Time Scheduling Approaches

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to school break scheduling, but some structures tend to work well for San Diego families.

For winter break, many parents alternate full weeks. One parent might have the first half (including Christmas in odd-numbered years), while the other has the second half (including New Year’s in even-numbered years). This allows each parent to have quality time and build holiday traditions, without requiring children to shuttle back and forth in a short period of time.

Spring break is typically a single week and is often alternated each year. Some families prefer to split it mid-week, but younger children may find multiple exchanges in a short period stressful.

When it comes to summer vacation, longer blocks work well for most families. Two-week alternating schedules allow for planning summer camps, day trips, or longer vacations. Others may choose to stick with their school-year rotation and simply adjust for travel plans as needed. Some parents also agree to reserve one extended vacation period each—such as three consecutive weeks—for out-of-state travel or international trips.

San Diego’s rich landscape of child-friendly activities adds a layer of opportunity here. Camps at Balboa Park, Junior Lifeguards at Mission Bay, and zoo passes offer great options for daytime activities regardless of which parent has custody. Coordinating around these opportunities—especially when both parents share costs—can promote a sense of fairness and joint decision-making.

Legal Frameworks: What California Law Requires

While it’s great to build a schedule that works for your family, it’s even more important to ensure that it aligns with California’s family law requirements. Any deviations from a court-ordered parenting plan must be clearly agreed upon—ideally in writing—to avoid misunderstandings or accusations of non-compliance.

Under California Family Code §3020–§3040, both parents must follow the legal custody arrangement set by the court. Informal changes, while often done in good faith, can lead to future disputes if not documented properly. For example, a parent who allows extra vacation time one year may find themselves pressured to do so again, and without a clear agreement, the court may not view it as voluntary.

If you need to make a permanent modification—such as adjusting the summer rotation due to a parent’s job change or a child starting a new school—you must file a Request for Order (Form FL-300) and go through Family Court Services mediation. The court generally requires a showing of “significant change in circumstances” to approve a modification.

Travel outside of California also carries additional legal considerations. If your parenting plan does not already allow for interstate or international travel, you must obtain written consent from the other parent before taking your child out of state. If that parent refuses, the court can step in—but this takes time, so it’s best to plan well in advance.

And yes—passport issues arise often. One parent may refuse to hand over the child’s passport, or block its renewal. California courts can issue orders requiring both parents to cooperate with passport applications or even permit a second passport if conflict is ongoing.

Avoiding and Resolving Conflict

Even the most cooperative co-parents will face moments of disagreement. When this happens, having systems in place to de-escalate conflict is crucial.

Start with good communication. Use tools like OurFamilyWizard, TalkingParents, or Cozi to keep all scheduling details in one place. These apps create clear records and reduce the potential for misunderstandings. If you communicate by email or text, be mindful of tone and always confirm agreements in writing.

Set expectations around schedule reviews. A brief check-in every quarter—especially before major holidays or the start of summer—can prevent surprises and allow both parents to adjust plans proactively.

If conflict becomes persistent, you might benefit from working with a parenting coordinator or neutral mediator. These professionals help parents resolve disputes without litigation, often resulting in faster, more child-centered solutions. In high-conflict cases, the court may even appoint a parenting coordinator to monitor ongoing compliance.

When disputes escalate and affect your custodial rights, it’s time to consult your attorney. Repeated violations of the parenting schedule can lead to sanctions, make-up time orders, or contempt findings under California Family Code §3028 and §271.

Why Legal Guidance Matters

While co-parenting during school breaks may seem like a matter of logistics, the reality is that legal structure enables emotional stability—for both parents and children. A clear, enforceable plan reduces conflict, protects your rights, and creates predictability for your family.

At Minella Law Group, we understand the nuances of parenting plans, especially when it comes to school holidays and summer vacations. Whether you’re seeking to draft a new plan, modify an existing one, or resolve a scheduling dispute, our family law specialists offer tailored legal guidance grounded in compassion and experience.

We work proactively with clients to:

• Draft detailed break-time schedules with clear travel clauses

• Negotiate make-up time or mid-year changes

• File motions to resolve contested vacations or holiday conflicts

• Ensure court orders are enforceable and child-focused

No two families are the same. That’s why we craft solutions that meet your unique needs—while always keeping your child’s well-being at the forefront.

Put Your Plan in Place Before the Next Break Begins

Navigating school breaks in a co-parenting arrangement doesn’t have to be stressful. With early planning, open communication, and the right legal framework, you can create a schedule that gives your children structure, security, and space for joyful memories.

Don’t wait until the last week of school to sort it all out. The earlier you engage with your co-parent—and, if needed, with legal counsel—the smoother your holidays and summers will be.

📞 Need Help Planning for an Upcoming School Break?

At Minella Law Group, we’ve helped hundreds of San Diego families create flexible, enforceable parenting plans that work—year-round.

• Virtual & in-person consultations available

• Tailored parenting schedules that reduce conflict

• Enforcement & modification support when needed

👉 Book Your Confidential Consultation Today or call us at (619) 289-7948. Let’s work together to give your child the stable, memorable break they deserve.