How to navigate Christmas as divorced parents

Navigating Christmas as divorced parents can be challenging, but with open communication and a focus on your children’s well-being, it is possible to create a positive experience. If you haven’t started working out the arrangements, now is the time to start. Here are some tips to help you all to make the most of the festive season:

1. Plan in Advance: Start planning for Christmas early to ensure everyone’s expectations are clear. Discuss who will have the children, when and for how long. This will help avoid last minute conflicts.
2. Put Your Children First: Of course, this should always be the case! Remember that Christmas is about making the time special for your children. They are not children for long so enjoy it while they are. Try to put aside any personal conflicts or differences and focus on creating cherished memories for them.
3. Communicate Openly: Maintain open and respectful communication with your ex. Discuss plans, gift giving, and any special traditions you’d like to continue. Keep in mind that flexibility is key.
4. Create New Traditions: Embrace the opportunity to establish new traditions. This can help make the Christmas period feel unique and exciting for your children.
5. Consistency in Gift-Giving: Coordinate with your ex about the gifts you plan to give to your children. It’s important to avoid competition or trying to outdo each other with extravagant gifts.
6. Respect the Schedule: Stick to the agreed schedule for when the children will be with each parent. Punctuality and respecting the schedule can reduce stress for everyone.
7. Consider Alternating Years: Some divorced parents choose to alternate Christmas celebrations each year. For example, one parent might have the children on Christmas Eve and the other on Christmas Day. This way, both parents get to enjoy the holiday with their kids.
8. Avoid Negative Remarks: Keep negative remarks or disagreements away from the children. It’s important to maintain a positive atmosphere during the holiday season.
9. Support Your Children’s Feelings: Children may have mixed emotions during the holidays. Be there to listen to them and provide emotional support if they need it.
10. Coordinate Extended Family: If possible, coordinate with extended family members so that your children can spend time with both sides of the family during the festive season. It can be difficult to please everyone, so perhaps try alternating years for grandparents as well.
11. Self-Care: Take care of yourself during the holidays. This can be a challenging time, so make sure you have a support system in place and practice self-care to manage stress and stay emotionally healthy. We often try to please everyone else at this time of year. Not saying yes to everything can help to reduce the stress.
12. Legal Agreements: If you have a legal agreement in place, ensure that you follow it to avoid potential conflicts.

Remember, every family’s situation is unique, and what works for one family may not work for another. The key is to focus on what’s best for your children and to maintain a cooperative, respectful co-parenting relationship. By doing so, you can help your children enjoy a happy and memorable Christmas.