Children are often a large part of why the holidays are meaningful for families. Parents often take great pleasure in creating a magical and memorable holiday experience for their children. It is only natural for parents to worry that a divorce resulting in shared custody could diminish the joy of the holiday season.
Thankfully, there are ways for parents to limit the impact that shared custody has on holiday celebrations. The three tips below can help parents preserve holiday magic for their children and take some of the stress out of sharing custody during a demanding time of year.
Create a realistic custody schedule
Day-to-day custody arrangements are often easier to settle than terms for special events, including holidays. Parents have to think carefully about their traditions, living arrangements and family dynamics when deciding how to handle shared custody on the holidays. Some couples can continue to celebrate together even after a divorce. Others may need to find ways to alternate the holidays or split custody on special days so the children spend part of the day with each parent. The right arrangements can lead to conflict-free holiday celebrations.
Discuss gifts ahead of time
Some parents who share custody fall into the trap of trying to outdo each other with presents. They may put themselves in debt and set unrealistic expectations for their children for the future. They may also unintentionally duplicate the gifts that they give the children. Parents who discuss their gift-giving intentions can avoid overspending and the chances of the children receiving the same gift twice. They can also potentially combine their budgets to acquire gifts that the children actually want, like bicycles, mobile devices or video game systems.
Uphold old traditions and create new ones
Traditions are part of what creates the holiday magic for children. Whether they make cookies with Grandma on Christmas Eve or make handmade presents for each other, those traditions are important for their sense of distancing and holiday joy. Parents may want to find ways to maintain existing traditions and establish new ones that work with the shared custody schedule.
Parents who employ a realistic and thoughtful approach to shared custody can help ensure that their children will enjoy the holiday season. Planning for the holidays proactively can help to make shared custody less difficult for everyone in the family.