2026 How do you deal with downtime during the holidays?

A guide for divorced parents – and what happens when it goes wrong?

The long vacation may be a dream for children, but for parents – and especially divorced parents – it is a time that raises stress levels to the maximum.

If during the year there is a clear agenda of educational frameworks, kindergartens, classes and fixed times, then in the months of July and August the whole routine falls apart. And the meaning is simple: you have to coordinate, determine, be flexible, accommodate – and this does not always happen in cooperation.

Especially not when both parents are not on the same wavelength.

True story: The agreement that didn’t survive the summer

Shahar and Tal had been married for almost ten years. A couple with two lovely children, a neat divorce agreement, equal division of time spent together – which seemed, on the surface, to be a model for proper parental coordination.

But then the big holiday arrived.

Shahar wanted to take the children for a week of vacation in the north – at his own expense, of course – exactly during the period that had been coordinated in advance with Tal. Tal, for her part, refused to release the week, claiming that it “harmed the children’s stability” and that she had already scheduled activities. Very quickly, the disagreements escalated into shouting, exchanges of accusations, and even threatening messages.

The children? They were left confused and hurt in the middle of the struggle.

At this point, Shahar contacted our office, and within a few days we were able to file an urgent request with the court, which was granted in his favor, taking into account the best interests of the children – and to create a more balanced arrangement for Tal as well. The summer did not start smoothly – but it ended peacefully.

Why is it so sensitive in the summer?

Unlike holidays that are usually regulated in the divorce agreement (Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, etc.), the Great Holiday is The longest period during which the children are not in a regular setting – And this means that parents must share not only time, but also responsibilities, expenses, activities, and logistical considerations (camps, grandma, trips, flights, etc.).

Couples who parted on good terms will usually be able to coordinate even a complicated summer.
But when there are disagreements, parental alienation, difficulty in communication, or old and outdated agreements – Every day in the summer could turn into a small war.

What does the law say about summer stay times?

The law does not establish a uniform formula or uniform rule for the distribution of the Great Freedom. However, Family courts and rabbinical courts usually approve equal division., as far as circumstances allow.

In simple words:
Half of the leave with one parent
Half with the other parent
Everyone gets a week-by-week or two-by-two alternately.
In certain cases – division by work/vacations/primary custody

It is important to understand: If there is no agreement, only a court judgment or decision is valid. Any attempt to exert pressure or determine facts on the ground may work to the detriment of that parent in the future.

What do you do when there are violations?

Violating a stay period is a legal ground for anything. If a parent does not return the children on time, unilaterally cancels a stay, incites the children, or uses the summer as a tool of punishment – ​​action can (and should) be taken.

Applications can be submitted to the Family Court or the Rabbinical Court, as the case may be, requesting:

• To enforce stay arrangements

• To amend stay times according to circumstances

• To impose sanctions (such as offsetting future stay periods or temporarily reducing alimony)

• To obtain temporary relief until a full decision is made

And what about the welfare of the child?

The most important question in this whole story is… What is really good for children?

Children on vacation need stability, calm, a clear understanding of who is picking them up, what they are doing tomorrow, and when they will return. When parents fight, children suffer.

Court rulings in recent years have repeatedly emphasized shared parental responsibility – even when there is a conflict between the parents.
This is not just a legal obligation – it is a moral obligation.

When to contact a lawyer?

• If there is no agreement regarding the distribution of freedom

• If the other parent breaches the agreement

• If the child expresses anxiety or confusion

• If you feel that the order exists but no longer fits reality

• If you are afraid of legal action for changing your stay period

• If there is a conflict about traveling abroad or vacationing with the children

In each of these cases, a professional family law attorney will be able to assess the situation, recommend a strategy, work with the court, and help achieve a solution that serves the best interests of the children – and you.

Sharon Segal Law Firm – with you even in the summer

We know how difficult summer can be for divorced parents.
And that’s why we are here – with over 15 years of experience in personal, fast, and determined legal support, with an emphasis on real solutions – and not just paperwork.

In our office you will find:

✔ Experienced family law attorneys and editors
✔ Extremely high availability for urgent procedures in the summer
✔ Humane, sensitive care – but sharp and clear when necessary
✔ Branches in Tel Aviv, Netanya and Haifa
✔ Initial consultation call – free of charge

077-997-4020
Attorney Sharon Segal – Founder of the firm
Attorney Tzlil Weinstein – Partner, Tel Aviv Branch
Attorney Inbar Israel – Netanya Branch Manager

In conclusion:

The summer holidays shouldn’t become a battlefield – but an opportunity to build proper cooperation for the sake of the children. If you feel that agreements are being shaken or that not everything is clear – don’t wait for the next fight.

Contact us now for a consultation – and give this summer a chance to start differently.