When Zach Parise’s kids start winter break next week, it means the family will get a rare week together.

The Islanders play their last game before Christmas on Dec. 23, then Parise will go home to Minnesota for three league-mandated off days. When the team resumes play on Dec. 27, his wife and kids can come out to Long Island for the week before the Islanders open the new year in Seattle.

This is life right now for Parise, age 38, as he plays through a one-year deal with the Islanders with his twin boy and girl about to turn 9 and his youngest son at age 4. Everything is about negotiating his love of hockey and desire to keep playing against the pull of his family. He’s in his second season with the Islanders, but the family stayed back in Minnesota, where he grew up and played from 2012-2021, when he came to New York. When they see a spot on the calendar that matches up for time together, they’ve learned to jump on it.

“It’s tough,” Parise told The Post. “They miss their dad. We do the best we can with it, try to see them as much as possible. As much as my schedule, their schedule [will allow]. They’re busy with sports, school stuff, but we do the best we can to see them as much as possible. I’d be lying if I said it was easy.”