Christmas can be a stressful time for parents who have just divorced. Sharing parenting over the festive period can be fraught with complications, which you may not have thought about when making a parenting plan for the majority of the year.
Here are some tips to help ensure that you and your children enjoy this Christmas period despite the obvious differences from before.
Compromise for the good of your children
Maybe you want to go and see your mother who you have not spent Christmas with in years. Yet, if she lives so far away that it makes it impossible for your child to see their other parent as well, then maybe you should reconsider.
Even if it is your turn to have the children, compromising to avoid excluding their other parent may be a better option.
Communicate, however hard that may be
However difficult your divorce is, you need to communicate with your ex to put your children’s interests first. A little communication can avoid misunderstandings that could ruin Christmas for everyone. For example, if your ex-mother-in-law was expecting your children to be at hers for lunch, letting her know in advance that they won’t arrive till later because they are brunching with you allows her to replan the day if she wishes to incorporate them into the family gathering.
Avoid competing with each other
It’s unlikely you and your ex-spouse will be on an equal financial footing. One of you may be able to splash out on an expensive present while the other cannot. Your child is unlikely to care, but they will notice if it becomes an issue between their parents or if they hear dad gasping as he opens the credit card statement after overspending to keep up with mom.
If you have questions about your parental rights, it may benefit you to seek some legal guidance.