Holiday Tips for Divorced or Seperated Parents
11/02/2010
Holiday Tips for Divorced or Seperated Parents
As we enter into the holiday season, below are some tips for making sure that everyone (especially the children) enjoys the special occasions:
1: Plan Ahead
Develop a parenting schedule before the holidays. Let your children know their visitation schedule well ahead of time so they can be emotionally prepared.
2: Create Your Own Celebrations and Traditions
Start new traditions if the old ones are too cumbersomre for a single partent to carry out or if they conflict with allowing your children seeing both parents.
3: Give Your Children Permission to Love Both Parents
Help your child buy or make a card or gift for the other parent and encourage them to be excited about seeing their other parent.
4: Gift Giving
Don't compete with the other parent on gifts. If possible, coordinate gift-giving with the other parent.
5: Keeping in Touch
If the children spend the holiday with you, let them speak to the other parent. Give them any cards and other messages from the other parent.
6: Keep Your Word
Stick to the schedule. Arrive on time and drop off the children on time. But remain flexible with your plans so that you can best accommodate your children.
More than any other time of year, put your children's feelings before your own. Regardless of your particular situation, it is important to continue to allow your children to enjoy the holidays.
