The Children’s Birthdays 

Pursuant to the Texas Standard Possession Schedule, the parent that is not entitled to present possession of a child on the child’s birthday shall have possession of the child beginning at 6:00 p.m. on the child’s birthday and ending at 8:00 p.m. on that day. 

In order to determine if you are the parent entitled to present possession of the child on the child’s birthday in any given year, it is a good idea to look at the calendar at the beginning of each year and determine which parent is entitled to possession of the child on his or her birthday. If you are the parent that is not scheduled to have possession of the child on his or her birthday, then you have the right to have possession of the child on his or her birthday beginning at 6:00 p.m. on the child’s birthday and ending at 8:00 p.m. on that day for that year. 

If you intend to exercise your right to have possession of the child for his/her birthday in any year, it is a good idea to give the parent that is scheduled to have possession of the children notice that you intend to exercise your right to possession of the child on his/her birthday for that year as early as possible. This will allow both parents the ability to plan the child’s birthday celebrations accordingly.  

Father’s Day 

Pursuant to the Texas Standard Possession Schedule if the Father of the children is designated as a conservator of the children, then he is entitled to possession of the children beginning at 6:00 p.m. on the Friday preceding Father’s Day and ending at 6:00 p.m. on Father’s Day in all years. 

Mother’s Day 

Pursuant to the Texas Standard Possession Schedule if the Mother of the children is designated as a conservator of the children, then she is entitled to possession of the children beginning at 6:00 p.m. on the Friday preceding Mother’s Day and ending at 6:00 p.m. on Mother’s Day in all years. 

The following additional periods of possession and access to the children are specifically addressed by the Texas Standard Possession Schedule:

• Spring Break/Spring Vacation; and
• Summer Possession.

Spring Break / Summer Vacation 

Pursuant to the Texas Standard Possession Schedule, spring vacation is alternated between the parents each year in most cases. Spring vacation is similar to Thanksgiving holiday because it is not divided into a front-half and back-half like Christmas holiday. 

If you are the possessory conservator, you will have possession of the children for spring vacation in even-numbered years beginning at the time that the children are released from school for spring vacation and ending at 6:00 p.m. on the day before school resumes from spring vacation.   The managing conservator will have possession of the children for spring vacation in odd-numbered years beginning at the time that the children are released from school for spring vacation and ending at 6:00 p.m. on the day before school resumes from spring vacation.

If the parents of the children reside 100 miles or more apart, then the possessory conservator shall have possession of the children for spring vacation in all years beginning at the time that the children are released from school for spring vacation and ending at 6:00 p.m. on the day before school resumes from spring vacation. 

Next week I will discuss and provide tips for understanding how to designate and maximize your summer periods of possession of the children.