Whether you are in the middle or a divorce or whether it is now final, the holidays can be a difficult time for the children, and statistics have shown that divorce can be challenging for children emotionally.
This article will share strategies for how a parent can support children emotionally during the holidays to create new happy memories and traditions.
Be more generous and compromising than usual.
- We celebrate good will during the holidays, and this provides an opportunity for you to be more compromising with your ex than usual.
- Try to be flexible in scheduling so that the children can have contact with both parents.
- Avoid putting children in a bind where they feel they have to be loyal to one parent or the other.
- Cultivate a mindset of positivity during this time, so that actions from the other parent do not ruin your own mood, so that you can create positivity for your children.
- Be positive about the other parent’s gifts and events.
Plan ahead.
- Planning in advance is key to creating a positive holiday experience.
- Schedule in advance so that you can prepare your children with proper expectations.
- Work with the other parent on the gifts so that there are not duplicates.
- Avoid competing for gifts by perhaps coordinating with the other parent on a potential budget if the other parent is open to that idea.
Communicate with your children.
- Communication is key with children of all ages.
- Discuss with your children some of their hopes or goals for the holidays.
- Include your children in the planning.
- Brainstorm ideas with your children on how to think of others during the holiday season.
- Perhaps even help your children plan a gift for the other parent.
Contact an Experienced Divorce Attorney
At the Law Office of David Knecht, we understand the challenges that divorced families face, and we can help you with any aspect of your family law case. Contact us today at 707-451-4502.
