Make the holidays special and worry-free this year with these essential holiday co-parenting plan ideas.
When you are a divorced parent, the holiday season—just like that toy train set you got the kids—has the potential to go off the rails and fall apart if you do not have a co-parenting plan in place. You do not want to find yourself arguing about who the kids are spending those special days with up until the last minute, so you need to start communicating with your co-parent now if you want to do more than “get through the holidays.”
These holiday co-parenting plan ideas might help you come to an agreement so you can enjoy the time you have with your family.
Alternate Time Spent with the Kids Each Year
Some co-parents choose to alternate the years they get to spend the holidays with the kids. What this looks like depends on the family—some like to take the entire winter break to go on vacation, others are fine spending only the important days with the kids.
While this arrangement has advantages, such as uncomplicating the timesharing plan, it also means that one parent will be deprived of holiday time.
Divide the Holiday Season in Half
For co-parents who do not want to miss any holiday time with their kids, another approach might make more sense. Dividing the holiday season in half allows both co-parents to spend time with the kids. Some co-parents divide the important days, such as Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. If one of these days feels more important, co-parents may even want to alternate each year.
Make More Than One Day Special
Who says you can’t make your own holiday traditions? If one co-parent misses an important holiday with the kids, they can celebrate it on a different day that works for everyone’s schedules.
It’s not the day that makes the holiday special, it’s the time you spend together with your loved ones.
How Will You Handle Gifts?
Aside from timesharing arrangements, many co-parents like to discuss and coordinate gift giving. If you want to avoid forgetting to get an important gift or getting more than one of the same item, it’s a good idea.
Gifts are another aspect of co-parenting that can be divided however works best for you. If you and your co-parent can be collaborative, you can even go in on a gift for the kids together. Doing so can foster feelings of goodwill toward one another while demonstrating good behavior for your children.
Holiday Co-Parenting Plan Ideas Not Enough? Talk to Me Today
Make the holiday season special and stress-free this year. Start working with your co-parent now so that everyone knows what the plan is.
If you need help with mediation or litigation for your divorce case, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me. I work tirelessly toward the best possible outcome for my clients.
About the Author: Helena Y. Farber is a Divorce attorney in Aventura, Florida, whose practice is concentrated in the areas of divorce and family law. She can be reached at (305) 520-9205 or via email at hyf@farberlawpa.com.
Disclaimer: The attorney makes this Blog available for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site, you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.