The holidays are here. Of course, you’re excited to celebrate the time with family and friends. But as a single parent who shares custody, there can be a lot of stress that pops up as well. Co-parenting during the holidays can be challenging. We’ve compiled these holiday co-parenting tips to help you get through the upcoming weeks with as little stress as possible.
How to co-parent during the holidays: The schedule is key
Co-parenting tips: Dealing with the unexpected
No matter how well you plan ahead, there will likely be unexpected situations that come up. Remember to communicate concerns and be flexible with your stance.
Accept that there are things that you can’t control
There are things during the holidays that you can’t control. Winter colds and flu are among these. You may need to alter your plans to accommodate sick children. You may also need to discuss with your ex your concerns about large gatherings where the kids may be exposed to COVID. At the end of the day, know that you can’t control what your ex does during his time. You won’t be able to force him to forgo a particular party or event just because you are concerned about COVID when he isn’t. Take a deep breath and educate your kids on safe practices such as wearing their masks and washing their hands frequently.
Dealing with missed custody time
You can have the best-laid plans, but the reality is that some ex-spouses will do what they want during the holidays. This can mean that you have a missed custody exchange. I can speak from experience that this is infuriating.
This is why having the plan outlined in a court order is important. “If you have a custody agreement in place and it’s not adhered to during the holidays, it is contempt of court. Judges will not take that lightly. Fines and jail time come with it,” Jennifer Darnell, a mom who shares custody, explained to Mom.com.
Keep in mind that it can be tricky to get the police and courts involved during the holidays, and having an officer show up can certainly make for a bad experience for your children. Talk to your attorney about the best course of action to ensure that you get your time, bad behavior gets punished, but that your kids are able to enjoy the season as best they can.
