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Blog 2018 October Tips for Co-Parenting During the Holidays
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Tips for Co-Parenting During the Holidays

Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny || 31-Oct-2018

The holidays can be a stressful time of year for just about anyone, but it can be particularly overwhelming for divorced parents who are trying to co-parent their way through this supposedly merry season. Effectively co-parenting is hard enough on its own, but when you throw in gift-giving and vacations, things can get a little more complex and, if you are not prepared, it can be easy for life to go haywire.

To avoid holiday obstacles and unnecessary obstacles, start preparing for the holiday season now. Below is a list of some helpful tips that will make this merry time of year go a little more smoothly:

  • Put your children first: Co-parents might get caught up in wanting to ensure the kids spend an equal amount of time with everyone, which might result in the two of you pulling them in all sorts of directions. However, this will exhaust them and, ultimately, prevent them from really getting a chance to relax and connect with family. It might require some compromise on both ends, but you should consider focusing on letting your kids make memories rather than fixating on who they are spending time with.
  • Plan ahead: Planning goes a long way no matter what you are doing. If you do not already have a parenting plan that dictates how the holidays are to be spent, then you and your former spouse need to sit down and have that discussion as soon as possible. Even if you already have a parenting plan in place that addresses the holidays and other special events, you should both be open to adapting to the needs of your children, especially as the years pass. What works for your children this year, might not work a few years from now.
  • Be flexible: While it is absolutely important to plan ahead, you will still need to be somewhat flexible, especially during the holidays when unexpected events might occur that call for some changes in the schedule. For example, if you have the kids on a day when your ex-spouse wants to see them and you do not have anything special planned, consider swapping days. Goodwill gestures like these will allow you and your former spouse to build a stronger and more cooperative relationship as co-parents, which your children will immensely benefit from.
  • Coordinate gifts: Instead of getting into the competitive holiday spirit of who can afford the more expensive gift, coordinate your gifts. Discuss the number of gifts the children are allowed to have, the price range, and if any gifts are off-limits or inappropriate. You should also share these rules with your in-laws to ensure everyone is on the same page and no one is attempting to outdo the other. This will also help prevent your children from developing an unhealthy sense of entitlement.
  • Remember to care for yourself: The holidays are not just about schedules and taking care of the children; they are also about taking care of yourself. Going through a divorce is a difficult and emotional experience and having to co-parent as a newly divorced parent will probably be stressful, so set some time aside to care for yourself and ensure that you are getting enough sleep, exercising, eating healthy, and spending time with friends and family. The better you care for yourself, the more capable you will be of caring for your children and others in your life.

Family Law Attorneys in Houston

If you and your spouse are going through a divorce or are in the midst of any other family law matter, you need to hire skilled legal representation as soon as possible to ensure your interests are protected. At the Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny, our team family law attorneys in Houston is dedicated to fighting on behalf of clients who are going through the divorce process. Backed by over 30 years of legal experience, you can trust that your case will be in good hands with our compassionate and knowledgeable team.

Get started on your case today and reach out to our law firm at (713) 936-2300 to schedule a consultation.

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