For many Texas families, December 28 marks a turning point in the holiday season. Under the Texas Standard Possession Order (SPO), Christmas holiday possession typically ends on December 28, and children transition back to the other parent. While Christmas Day has passed, emotions often have not.

Parents may feel relief, disappointment, or stress. Children may feel tired, emotional, or conflicted. How this exchange is handled matters—sometimes more than the holiday itself.

At Barina Law Group, we remind parents that December 28 is not just a date on the calendar. It is a transition point that can either restore stability or create lingering stress for your child.

What the Texas Standard Holiday Visitation Guidelines Say

Under the Texas Standard Possession Order:

• Christmas holiday possession usually begins when school releases

• One parent has possession through Christmas Day

• The holiday period typically ends on December 28 at noon

• The child is then returned to the other parent (unless the order states otherwise)

This exchange is mandatory unless parents have agreed in writing to a different arrangement or the order has been modified.

Why December 28 Transitions Can Be Hard on Children

By December 28, children are often:

• Overstimulated

• Tired from late nights

• Emotionally full

• Aware that “normal life” is returning

• Processing separation from one parent again

Even children who handled Christmas well may struggle with this transition.

1. Prepare the Child for the December 28 Exchange Ahead of Time

Surprises increase anxiety.

Help your child by:

• Talking about the exchange a day or two in advance

• Explaining what the next few days will look like

• Reassuring them they'll be okay

• Answering questions honestly but calmly

Predictability restores emotional balance.

2. Keep the December 28 Exchange Calm and Businesslike

December 28 exchanges should not include:

• Emotional conversations

• Complaints about the schedule

• Arguments about gifts or packing

• Passive-aggressive comments

Instead:

• Be on time

• Keep conversation brief

• Use a neutral tone

• Focus on the child—not the other parent

Children take emotional cues from adults. Calm parents create calmer transitions.

3. Pack With Intention, Not Emotion

Before the exchange:

• Pack early

• Use a checklist

• Send necessary items (school supplies, medications, comfort items)

• Avoid “forgetting” items out of frustration

Children should not feel caught between households over belongings.

4. Allow the Child to Carry Comfort Items Between Homes

Comfort items help children regulate after holidays:

• Favorite hoodie

• Stuffed animal

• Blanket

• Book

• Journal or drawing pad

Texas courts recognize that children benefit when familiar items move with them.

5. Avoid Loyalty Conflicts on December 28

Do not ask:

• “Did you have more fun there?”

• “Are you sad to leave?”

• “Don't you want to stay longer?”

Instead say:

• “I'm glad you had a good Christmas.”

• “You'll have a good time in both homes.”

• “We'll see each other soon.”

Children should never feel they must choose sides.

6. Be Extra Patient With Behavior After the Exchange

Post-holiday behavior changes are common:

• Irritability

• Withdrawal

• Tearfulness

• Trouble sleeping

These are signs of emotional processing—not defiance. Stability, routine, and patience help children re-regulate.

7. Follow the Order — Even When It's Hard

Unless there is a written agreement:

• The December 28 exchange must happen

• Unilateral changes can create legal problems

• “Just keeping the child longer” can backfire

If the schedule no longer works for your family, the solution is legal modification, not self-help.

8. When December 28 Exchanges Become a Pattern of Conflict

If every December 28 brings:

• Arguments

• Late returns

• Emotional distress for the child

• Power struggles

• Safety concerns

It may be time to:

• Clarify exchange terms

• Add neutral exchange locations

• Adjust holiday schedules

• Address long-distance travel provisions

• Modify the possession order

Texas law allows changes when the schedule no longer supports the child's best interest.

The Bottom Line

December 28 is about restoring balance, not restarting conflict.
When parents handle this exchange with calm, clarity, and child-focused intent, children return to routine feeling safe—not torn.

Call to Action

If December 28 exchanges are stressful, confusing, or emotionally hard on your child, you do not have to accept that as “just the way it is.”

📞 Contact Barina Law Group to review your Texas custody order and discuss options to make holiday transitions smoother and more child-centered.
🌐 Visit www.bobbybarinalaw.com

Your child deserves stability—even after the holidays.