How to Survive the Holidays After Your Illinois Divorce

 Posted on December 24, 2018 in Child Custody

For many people, December means delicious food, spending time with family, exchanging presents, and enjoying the season. Unfortunately, for many families, the holiday season also means a time of stress and emotional tug-of-war. When parents are divorced, the holiday season can be difficult, because not only must they decide when they each will have the children, but they will also need to juggle all of the events that take place during the holidays, such as plays, concerts, recitals, holiday parties, and gift exchanges.

Here are a few ways that divorced parents can have a joyful and happy holiday season:

Plan Well in Advance

Like most things in your co-parenting relationship, a successful holiday season will largely depend on how you plan for it. Ideally, both you and your ex will be able to attend all of your children’s events. If you cannot stand to be in the same room as each other, make a plan to pick and choose which events you will be attending and which events you will sit out.

Do Not Make the Holidays a Competition

Sometimes, parents try to “out-gift” each other during the holiday season. This can send a very bad message to your children that their love needs to be bought or that toys equal worth. Even though you may feel guilty for putting your child through a divorce, you do not need to shower your child with tons of material items, and you do not need to get into a gifting war with your ex. The best present you can give your child is your love and attention.

Make New Traditions but Keep Some of the Old

For many people, the holiday season is a time for special traditions. Many of these traditions involve the whole family, but now that you are divorced, the whole family may not be able to spend the holidays together. You do not have to get rid of old traditions completely, but you should try to introduce some new traditions to your children as well. Try volunteering at a soup kitchen or animal shelter to spread the joy of giving with your children. You could also think of new ideas for activities around the home, such as reading a different book each night or watching a new movie.

Contact an Arlington Heights, IL Divorce Lawyer

Holidays can be stressful for anyone, but they can put even more stress on a separated family. Your successful post-divorce holiday all starts with a sound parenting plan and plenty of pre-thought. At the Cosley Law Office, we understand how emotional the first holiday season after your divorce can be. Our Rolling Meadows divorce attorney can help you figure out all of your child custody issues, in addition to helping you settle the legal issues you must address during your divorce. Call our office today at 847-253-3100 to set up a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/divorced-children/200812/managing-divorce-and-children-during-the-holidays

https://www.meetmindful.com/10-tips-for-surviving-the-holidays-after-a-divorce/#

https://childmind.org/article/divorced-for-the-holidays-what-to-give-the-kids/