The holidays can be wonderful and magical for children, but stressful and frantic for adults. Divorced parents often say that the biggest adjustment at first was being spread across two households for the holidays. While it is easy to focus on how different things are, the most important thing is to focus on making your children happy and enjoying the time you get to spend with them.
When it comes to the holiday season, we know that it isn’t always fresh snow and laughter. Here are 4 tips to help divorced parents make the most of the most wonderful time of the year:
Plan Ahead
Make your plans for the holiday season well in advance, and make sure they are shared and approved with your coparent. You don’t have to know what you are doing every second of every day, but you do have to know which parent has the children on which days and where they will physically be. Work to have this information set and shared well in advance of the actual holiday season.
Compare and Despair
The holidays are about spending quality time with the people that you love and making the most of the things that you have. They aren’t about comparing gifts, vacations, homes, decorations, or freshly-baked cookies. Don’t get caught up in anger or jealousy with what your coparent is doing with your children. Just make the most of the time you have with them!
Make New Traditions
It can be hard for families to adjust to losing their common holiday traditions when they are suddenly spread out across households. It’s the perfect time to make some new traditions! In a few years time, it will feel weird that you ever did anything else.
Steal Some Alone Time
In the hosting, cooking, wrapping, gifting, and spending time with friends and family, it can be easy to forget to spend any time by yourself. Make sure to take some time this holiday season to enjoy being alone and get a little bit of fresh air away from the hustle and bustle. You don’t always know how much you need it until you take some time for yourself.
Get the Help You Need
This holiday season, don’t let the little things get you down. Plan well in advance, and focus on enjoying the time you get to spend with the family you love. For help with any divorce and family legal matters, contact Rinehart Bryant, PLLC today! We help you like family would.
Rinehart Bryant, PLLC
