It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The holidays are a time to reflect and be together with loved ones. Parents in Kansas often go the extra mile to make this a magical and memorable experience for their children. However, for parents with shared parenting or joint child custody arrangements, the holidays may be not so magical if they fail to agree on plans. Here’s how divorced or separated parents can make the holidays drama-free for all parties involved.
Parents should establish a mutually agreed upon plan prior to the holidays. If changes are needed, always check with the other parent before amending the plans. Also, make sure that everything is agreed upon before consulting with the children. Never put the children in the middle and make them decide which parent they would rather spend the holidays with.
Be as flexible as possible. Unplanned things will inevitably arise, like a child getting sick or an extended family member wanting to see the children. If an ex-spouse has problems or does not agree on certain things, try to come to a compromise instead of allowing minor disagreements to turn into big fights. Compromising will meet the needs of everyone and will have minimal disruption for the children.
This can also be a great time to create new traditions. A divorce is obviously difficult on parents and children, so establishing a new holiday tradition will provide stability and give the children something new to look forward to each year. Parents in Kansas who need help with child custody issues may want to consider discussions with a knowledgeable and experienced family law attorney.
