How to Navigate Co-Parenting During the Holiday Season

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divorced parents

For most divorced families, sharing the holidays is a challenging task, especially if you’ve only ever dreamed of a beautiful, ideal holiday for your children. Family to family may have different holiday arrangements for separated or divorced parents, while they are typically planned and decided around the time of divorce.

Even though it might be difficult for them to spend a vacation away from one parent or the other, there are a number of things you can do to try and make the transition easier for the kids.

Finalize the Time

If you and your co-parent have a set holiday schedule, work together to finalize all of the minute aspects of your holiday parenting plan. “Determine where kids are going to be, and for how long,” note Denver family law attorneys from Ciancio Ciancio Brown, PC, “Discuss any potential trips or vacations over the holiday season well in advance and use a calendar and block off the time you get with your children and the time they spend with the other parent.” It is crucial to remember that visitation on holidays takes precedence over visits on weekdays.

Thus, the holiday schedule will be in effect. Make a detailed plan in advance to prevent last-minute disagreements.

Think About Celebrating With One Another

Even though it’s uncommon, some separated parents get along so well that they may still celebrate important holidays together. Instead of sharing or rotating their holidays, some parents want to spend them all together as a family.

Sharing holidays with co-parents after a divorce has several advantages, such as:

  • Face-to-face time with the kids for both parents
  • There are no controversies about the use of time
  • Little effect on the kids’ vacation schedule

Be aware, though, that not all families will benefit from this strategy. Your interactions with your co-parent must be civil and free of tension. One parent must find it simple to invite the other into their home.

Share These Plans with Your Children

Although it may seem simple, co-parents can be so preoccupied with talking to one another that they forget to explain ideas to their kids.