How Not to Let Your Divorce Ruin the Holidays

If you think that the holidays are stressful when you are a single young adult who is successful, but not successful enough, in your career, or when you are introducing your adorable but sleepless new baby to your judgmental in-laws, try co-parenting with your ex-spouse during the holidays.  With a court-ordered parenting plan, you can settle into a new routine, and while it includes provisions about parenting time, it is easiest for your ex to get on your nerves during what is supposed to be the happiest time of the year.  Fortunately, with enough planning and with a healthy attitude toward co-parenting, you can have a less stressful holiday season.  A Boca Raton child custody lawyer can help you draft a parenting plan that makes holiday co-parenting manageable.

Holiday Celebrations Are Not the Time to Bring a New Partner Into the Picture

Getting serious in a new relationship can give you a sense of stability after the upheaval of divorce.  Perhaps the features of a future in which you celebrate the holidays as a blended family with your children and your new partner are coming into focus.  Your children’s first meeting with your new partner should be something low stakes, however, such as a trip to Baskin Robbins after school one day.  Holiday festivities are not the time to introduce your children to their future stepparent; let your children enjoy the first holiday season after divorce with you and their extended family members on your side of the family without having to include someone new.

Let Go of Your Resentment Over Finances

Regardless of your marital status, the holidays are a rude awakening about how much your spending exceeds your income, even if you are a frugal person who never splurges.  It might be obvious to your tax preparer and your family court judge that your ex-spouse’s poor financial decisions are the direct cause of your current financial stress, but the holidays are not the time to argue with your ex about it or to complain about it in front of your children.  Instead, focus on family togetherness as the true source of holiday cheer.

Stick to Your Parenting Plan

The more detailed the holiday parenting time provisions in your parenting plan, the better.  It is worthwhile to spend an extra session of mediation hashing out the details until you have a streamlined plan where Dad drops off the children at Mom’s house at 6:00 p.m. on December 23, and the maternal grandparents drive them to Sawgrass Mills to meet Dad at noon on December 26.  This is much better than spending the entire holiday arguing about where the children will be on Christmas Eve morning or to have angry relatives from the other side of the family show up as they are about to open presents.

Contact Schwartz | White About Holiday Co-Parenting

A South Florida family law attorney can help you iron out the details of your parenting plan for a stress-free holiday.  Contact Schwartz | White in Boca Raton, Florida about your case.

Source:

kidcentraltn.com/support/full-family-support/tips-for-co-parenting-during-the-holidays-.html