The end of year holidays can be a difficult time for both children and parents after divorce or separation due to their family-centric nature.

Here are a few tips to help limit the stress and conflict around this time of year:

1. Make sure your Child Arrangements clearly plan for who the children will be with each year for all important holidays - and stick to it.

   
   

2. Aim to celebrate holidays in both households, even if one of them is done a few days earlier or later.

   
   

3. Challenge yourself as to whether you can spend some peaceful time together with both parents and the children to celebrate the holidays jointly, even if for only a few hours.

   
   

4. Try to agree with your ex on a similar budget for children’s gifts and coordinate your narratives around holiday tales and traditions.

Remember that these holidays are not about you or your ex and who is entitled to what. Special occasions such as Christmas, Hanukah or Eid are about creating magical memories for your children.

Need help with planning for co-parenting arrangements during the holiday period? I can work with you to build a tiered proposal on this topic in order to have a constructive negotiation and find a solution that works for everyone, including your children.

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