(312) 223-1763
The holiday season is a time of joy, togetherness, and cherished traditions for many families. If you are divorced or in the process of getting divorced, managing the holidays can be a complex issue filled with emotions, especially when children are involved.
If you’re divorced or getting divorced, you likely won’t have every holiday with the children every year. Some parents alternate every holiday, while others choose specific holidays to celebrate each year. The default is that they all alternate. This can be a hard pill to swallow for some, but it’s an essential part of the process.
Handling the divorce correctly can prevent holidays from turning into battlegrounds for child custody and time allocation. It is essential to reimagine your holiday celebrations and accept that you can’t have a hundred percent of every holiday every year.
One possible solution is collaborative co-parenting during the holidays. There are some cases where both parents can be present during key moments, especially if there are younger children involved. Sharing Christmas morning or other special moments can benefit the children and strengthen your co-parenting relationship.
Another important aspect discussed is gift-giving. Divorced parents should work together to buy gifts for their children to avoid one-upping each other. This collaborative approach fosters goodwill and flexibility, which can be essential when adjustments are needed to parenting time.
Above all, you and your spouse should recognize the importance of not letting conflicts spoil the holidays for your children. No one wants their children’s holiday experiences marred by tension and disputes. Effective co-parenting, communication and compromise can go a long way in ensuring that the holiday season remains a time of joy and love for your children.
Divorce can make holiday planning more challenging, but it doesn’t have to take away the magic of the season. By embracing alternation, collaborative parenting and communication, divorced parents can create a positive and memorable holiday experience for your children. Remember that it’s not about what you can claim but about what you can give your children – the gift of a harmonious and loving holiday season.
The Law Offices of Patrick Markey, P.C. are dedicated to the Collaborative Divorce Process. We are located at 180 Stetson Avenue, Suite 3500 in Chicago, Illinois. You can call us at 312-223-1763.