The holiday season is officially upon us, and while this can be an exciting and magical time of year, it can also be a stressful time, especially for parents who have recently gone through a divorce.
Most parents struggle the first few holiday seasons after a divorce or separation occurs as they get used to new schedules and holiday traditions. It can also be very difficult to spend the holidays away from your children. This is especially true around Christmas time.
However, it is important to remember who the holidays are really about: your kids. An article from the Huffington Post recently provided some good tips on how to put the children first and manage parenting time during the holidays and holiday season. A link to this article is posted at the end of this article for you to read.
First, the article said to make sure that the children remain the No. 1 priority. It can be easy to get caught up in your own emotions, wants and needs, but putting the children first means allowing them to spend time with family on both sides of the family and keeping them out of any parenting disputes.
Second, if there is any confusion over who should have the children when, consult your divorce decree. Chances are that the decree provides specific instructions as to what was determined to be in the children’s best interests for dividing holiday time. If you forsee or experience problems it would be wise to talk to your Orlando family or Orlando divorce attorney about your concerns.
Next, it’s smart to start planning out a holiday parenting schedule ahead of time. in advance. With Christmas just a few weeks away, now is the time to establish a holiday parents schedule if you haven’t already done so. Then make sure to let your children and family know what the holiday plans are so that they can feel prepared.
Finally, don’t make the holidays about competing with your ex husband or ex wife. Divorced parents have a tendency to want to “out do” the other parent during the holidays by buying more presents or celebrating more extravagantly, but it’s never a good idea to try to buy your children’s love in any situation including upcoming holidays.
These are great tips for divorced parents to keep in mind over the holiday season. Even though this can be a tough transition in the beginning, rest assured that it will get easier over time after you have created new traditions and memories.
Article link – https://www.huffpost.com/entry/5-tips-for-coparenting-du_b_6136216