Peace, joy, and celebration are the hallmarks of the holiday season. The stretch between Thanksgiving and the New Year can be filled with happiness and goodwill. But for parents with shared custody, this time of year is often full of stress, disputes over holiday custody schedules, and conflict.
During what tends to be a hectic time of year, that strain frequently ramps up the friction up even further.
Having a plan and strategy takes at least one source of stress off the table. And let’s be real, you have plenty of others to contend with.
Managing Your Holiday Custody Schedule
Despite the potential for conflict, tension, and other problems, there are ways to deal with the impending holiday madness. Not everything works the same for every situation. That’s a given. But parents who successfully navigate their holiday custody schedule often employ the following tactics:
Clear and Timely Communication
Following a divorce or other split, things probably aren’t great between you and your ex. That’s just how these things usually go, especially if it’s a new or recent development. This often makes communication challenging. Add the extra stress of co-parenting during the holidays and you face potential disaster.
Though it may be tough, and you may rather have your wisdom teeth out than talk to your ex, clear and timely communication is vital.
Parents who opt for this route usually fare much better than those who don’t.
This is also sound advice outside of the holiday season.
If you put aside your gripes and grievances for a time, this will go much faster and be much easier. Set a specific time to talk about holiday plans and schedules.
Start early. Don’t wait until the last minute. It’s much easier to arrange or rearrange plans well in advance than to scramble the week before.
This is important to everyone. Depending on the plans, it impacts you, your kids, your ex, and various other family members.
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Set Realistic Expectations
Setting realistic expectations goes a long way to creating harmonious co-parenting.
Many parents dream of perfect holiday gatherings full of warmth, grandeur, and perfection. Most of us know all too well that these lofty goals don’t usually come to fruition. Don’t stress about every detail being flawless.
Remember as you plan your celebrations that spending time with your children is the most important part of the holidays. Set expectations around when and how you will celebrate.
If you won’t have the kids on the actual holiday, there’s no rule saying you can’t open presents, feast, and engage in holiday merriment on another day or in another way.
Expectations with presents should also be addressed. Divorce often strains finances and leaves less money for gift-giving. You want everything to be great but don’t overextend yourself or make promises you can’t keep.
Your kids will eventually forget about the toys or gifts, but they will hold onto how you made them feel.
Before gift opening, preferably as early as possible, explain to your kids what they can expect from the holidays in an age-appropriate manner. The younger the child, the simpler the explanation should be. Let them know the plan, what arrangements you make with your ex, and the holiday schedule.
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Maintain Consistency
The holidays are hectic and chaotic for everyone. This is especially true for children with shared custody arrangements.
Splitting time between parents and shuttling between households results in twice as many parties, functions, and activities.
All too often, this also means twice as much stress and strain. It’s important to do what you can to ease that burden.
It’s normal to expect some deviation from routines during the holidays. After all, the kids are out of school, relatives are in town, and maybe there’s travel to arrange.
Still, the closer you can stick to the regular co-parenting schedule, the easier things will likely stay. Consistency and stability form cornerstones of security, especially for younger children.
If you do change the schedule, let the kids know as soon as possible. Give them as much advance notice as you can and don’t spring alterations on them at the last moment. Tell them what’s going on as soon as you know.
Keeping them informed about changes—the whens and wheres and whos of the schedule—provides peace of mind and eases stress during the holidays.
Whatever the plans, take the time to make sure everyone practices good safety protocols and takes steps to protect everyone’s health and wellbeing.
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Put the Kids First
This was said earlier, but it bears repeating: Put the kids first.
Everything else takes a back seat to them, their feelings, and their holiday experience. You and your ex are adults. Hopefully, you can both act like it for the small amount of time you have to interact. Whether they know it or not, your kids will thank you.
Parents who successfully manage holiday custody schedules put their children first when it comes to dealing with their ex.
There’s no one out there who pushes your buttons quite like your ex. Committing to always acting in your child’s best interest can be key when disagreements arise. Be as calm and even as you can, even if your ex tries to pick fights.
Maintaining a positive attitude can be difficult when dealing with your ex. Especially this time of year.
Focusing on your kids helps to alleviate some of the frustration.
Knowing your children will ultimately benefit from the arrangement makes compromising so much easier.
Co-parenting and shared custody is almost always a challenge. The holiday season frequently intensifies issues between parents.
Even minor disagreements often escalate thanks to the additional stress. Take steps to ease tensions and help everyone have a happier holiday season.
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