Co-Parenting During the Holidays

If you and your spouse recently divorced, you might have some anxiety regarding how well you will navigate the holiday season with your children. The holidays can be hectic even under the most ideal circumstances, so it is understandable that you may face some difficulties in the aftermath of a split. Continue reading for some tips on how to get through it as smoothly as possible.

Navigating the Holidays with Your Ex

Your custody agreement likely addresses how the holidays will be handled with your children. In many cases, parents often alternate holidays every year. For example, one parent may have the children for Thanksgiving this year while the other may have them for Christmas. However, even with these details hashed out in your agreement, there is a lot more left to co-parenting during the holidays.

If this is your first holiday season after your divorce, talk to your children to find out what they would like to do. It may not be practical to fulfill all their desires, but you might be able to give them some of what they want. Moreover, allowing them to express their opinions will give them a sense of agency.

When it comes to gifts, discuss this matter with your co-parent before making any purchases. You likely both know what your children want and, if you shop for gifts without collaborating, chances are they may end up with some doubles. You should also consider setting a budget on gifts to avoid feeling tempted to outdo one another. The goal is to have an enjoyable holiday and not to buy inappropriately priced gifts to win over your children.

Learn to Be Flexible

Sticking to your parenting plan is important. However, life can be unpredictable and it is not always possible to plan for everything. Try to be flexible when you can, especially for the benefit of your children. The last thing you want is to create tension and conflict, ultimately creating more stress for everyone involved.

Schedule a Consultation with Our Experienced Family Law Attorney Today!

If you are dealing with a family law matter, now is the time to secure skilled legal representation. At the Law Offices of Elaine Stypula, our family lawyer is experienced in handling some of the most complex issues and will provide the personalized attention and care you deserve.

Reach out to our law office today at (248) 565-3800 to schedule a consultation with our attorney.