The holiday season is frequently labeled as the happiest time of the year, especially for children. They get time off from school and get to spend it with their family and friends. However, as a parent, the holiday season can present stress and challenges. You want to ensure that your children make long-lasting memories this holiday season. The pressure to maintain this positive experience is only exacerbated if you are co-parenting.

Bobby Dale Barina, Attorney At Law has tips for your co-parenting success this holiday season. Keep reading our blog to learn more.

Follow the Plan

Before the holiday season arrives, review your established co-parenting plans. This plan should detail what happens during the holiday season and school breaks. If you did not create a detailed schedule for this time of year, don’t stress. You can sit down with your ex and create a plan or work with an experienced attorney to help hash out any problems.

Even if you did create a co-parenting plan, it does not mean that it will always work for your family. You may find that it is time to modify your custody agreements, especially if your children are aging and want to do different activities over the holiday season.

Create New Traditions

Old family traditions are important. Even after a separation, you might find yourself wanting to stick to what you did in years past, thinking that it might make your kids feel at home. However, this is not necessarily the case. By continuing old traditions, your kids might reflect on times when the whole family was together, causing feelings of sadness.

Creating new traditions allows you to continue making meaningful memories with your kids, but without the reminder of what was done in the past. If your children are old enough, you can ask them for ideas of what they would like to do for the holidays.

Acknowledge Changes

Understand that the holidays after a divorce will feel different. This time of year emphasizes time with family, so when that structure changes, there needs to be an adjustment period. Your children may feel upset or angry about the difference in their holiday season. You might even feel lost or confused with the changes as well. Give you and your children the time needed to adjust to this life change and focus on what you can do.

Stay Flexible

During the holiday season, you may encounter last-minute schedule changes. For example, grandma and grandpa may decide to stop by without asking. In the event of a surprise visit, communicate with your fellow co-parent. By remaining communicative about schedule changes, you and your ex-spouse can navigate co-parenting in a more natural and understanding way. If your ex-spouse needs flexibility, work with them to provide the adjustments that they need.

Do Something For Yourself

While it is important to focus on the kids, it is just as important to do something for yourself. If you don’t have the kids one night during the holidays, do an activity that you enjoy. It could be as simple as going to your favorite coffee shop or reading a book on the couch.

Co-Parenting Assistance From Bobby Dale Barina, Attorney At Law

If co-parenting is difficult this holiday season, know that Bobby Dale Barina is here. He can help you navigate creating a co-parenting plan that works for both parents and assists in the modification process.

If you need co-parenting or parenting plan modification assistance, call our office at (254) 323-5506 to schedule a consultation!