We are supposed to feel thankful on Thanksgiving, but if you are a divorced parent, feeling grateful can be difficult if you and your co-parent cannot agree on who gets the kids. Timesharing on Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be frustrating, though. Read on for some of my tips.
Thanksgiving is about family coming together to celebrate their gratitude for each other and to eat good food. It is no surprise that it is one of the biggest holidays of the year in the United States. For divorced parents, however, without a plan it can be stressful and combative.
Here are a few ways that you can make sure that both you and your co-parent can each celebrate with your children without conflict.
Share Time on the Holiday
Nowhere is it written that Thanksgiving can only be celebrated at dinnertime. Many families make it an all-day ordeal.
If you are already planning to spend all day celebrating with family and friends, it might be worth considering splitting the day between parents. What might that look like, you ask? One spouse could spend lunch with the kids while the other takes dinner. And if dinner feels like the meal that is more special, you can alternate each year.
Celebrate Thanksgiving on Different Days
For young children, spending all day going to one meal after another could be exhausting. In that case, timesharing on Thanksgiving could mean celebrating on multiple days.
It can take some planning if you want your children to be able to spend time with both extended families, so start communicating now with grandparents and siblings about the possibility of doing the family get-together on Friday or even on the weekend.
Another reason to consider this option while your children are young is that doing so can normalize the idea of a second Thanksgiving. It can even help your child experience and appreciate the differences between each parent’s family traditions.
Consider a Joint Thanksgiving Day Celebration
Some co-parents cannot imagine having to spend a holiday as special as Thanksgiving with their ex-spouse. However, if you get along with your child’s other parent, timesharing on Thanksgiving could be a lot easier if you celebrate at the same time.
It is important to communicate with your child if you choose this option. Spending the holiday together can spark feelings of hope that you and your co-parent are considering getting back together. Make sure to speak in clear terms that a shared day is to make it better for your child, and for no other reason.
Talk to a Mediator to Discuss Timesharing on Thanksgiving and other Holidays
If you are considering divorce, you should know that litigation is not the only way. For couples who can remain civil and cooperate with each other, mediation could be a great alternative to an expensive, time-consuming legal process.
Talk to me today to discuss your case.
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.