The holidays are a time for families to come together. If you are a divorced or separated parent, this time of year can be a little more complex and hectic, especially if either of you has travel plans or other potentially difficult issues. To guide you through the holiday season, we compiled a list of tips that will help you overcome the obstacles you may face.
Getting Through the Holiday Season
If this is your first holiday season as divorced or separated parents, it will undoubtedly be a stressful time. Holiday scheduling can be incredibly stressful and overwhelming, so it is crucial to discuss this as soon as possible to ensure fewer conflicts.
Below are the top 5 tips for co-parenting during the holidays:
- Prioritize the events or plans that are most important to you, but also be prepared to compromise. If there is an overlap on events that are important to you and your co-parent, consider sharing it.
- Depending on the age and maturity of your children, you might also want to check in with them and find out what they would like to do during their vacation. You or your former spouse/partner might be planning an extravagant trip that they may not even have an interest in, so before you fight tooth and nail for a vacation, find out what the children want.
- No matter how airtight your plans may be, it is always possible for something unexpected to occur, so it is crucial for you and your co-parent to be flexible and willing to cooperate and adjust.
- Try to stay cool when you communicate with each other. Getting into a heated argument will only make things worse, so hold back on any snarky comments or negative remarks. No matter how angry your ex makes you, you should always try to deescalate the situation. Never post negative stuff about them on social media.
- Do not get hung up on the actual holiday. You can celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any other holiday with your children even if you end up celebrating it on a different day. Embrace this new opportunity to bond with your children by creating new traditions.
Discuss the Details of Your Case with a Knowledgeable Child Custody Attorney Today!
With the holidays on the horizon, it is important to start thinking about a plan to navigate it with your former spouse. At The Law Offices of Andrea Schneider, our family law team is experienced in handling some of the most complex and sensitive legal matters. You can rely on us to secure the best possible results for your case.