The winter holidays can be a time of joy, but they can also be a time of stress, especially for divorced parents.
Parents in Omaha who are no longer in a relationship with one another will have to take some extra steps during the holidays in order to successfully co-parent during this time of year.
First, in general a parenting plan will include details on which parent is to have the child at which holidays. Sometimes this means the child will spend a holiday with one parent one year and with the other parent the next year, etc. Other times this means the child will split time spend on each holiday with each parent. For example, the child might spend Christmas morning with one parent and Christmas afternoon with the other parent.
No matter what the circumstances, parents should review their holiday parenting plan ahead of time, to ensure it is still feasible and to ensure that both they and the child know what to expect. Any modifications that need to be made to a parenting plan should be handled well before the holiday, to avoid last minute changes that can be upsetting to both the parents and the child.
Parents also need to respect each other during the holidays. This means following the agreed-upon parenting time schedule, showing up to child custody exchanges on time and understanding that sometimes parenting time schedules during the holidays may differ from parenting time schedules during other times of the year. Flexibility is key, as is ensuring that parents avoid making negative comments about one another. Parents should focus on the child’s needs and happiness. After all, the child also must adjust to the new normal during the holidays following a divorce.
Following a divorce, it can sometimes be difficult to co-parent during the holidays. After all, the holidays are an emotional time, and heightened emotions can sometimes lead to conflict. However, by ensuring both parents agree to and adhere to their holiday parenting plans, they can reduce the potential for strife and help make sure their child has happy memories of the holiday season.