How Should Our Family Navigate the Holidays After Divorce?

 Posted on October 23, 2024 in Divorce

As the seasons begin to change and the holiday season approaches, many parents who share custody of their children wonder if there is a better way for them to handle this festive time. Some parents have a simple division of time with their children, switching off every other week. When holidays fall on a day that is not scheduled for you to be with your children, it can seem random and unfair. It is possible to find creative solutions if everyone is willing to work together and think outside of the box. If you need helpful suggestions for how your family can have happy holiday memories after divorce, speak with an experienced Wheaton, IL family law attorney.

Can Divorced Parents Alternate the Holidays?

One possibility that parents commonly use after a divorce is alternating holidays. They can create a list of important holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter. Then, each parent takes turns having the children for these holidays. Parents can also alternate the schedule each year. For instance, one year the mother might have the children on Thanksgiving and New Year’s, while the father has them for Christmas and Easter, and then they switch the following year. This way, over time, both parents can enjoy making holiday memories with their children.

Can Exes Celebrate Holidays Together with Their Children?

When divorced parents maintain a respectful co-parenting relationship, they might opt to celebrate holidays together. Children often prefer not needing to choose one parent over the other, and neither parent will need to feel left out of being part of their child’s cherished memories. The parent who is supposed to have the child that day can still have them sleep over that night, but the other parent can certainly be invited to join the festivities. It is important to give this serious thought, though, because if you and your spouse do not have a healthy dynamic at the moment, this arrangement can become more tense and worse for everyone involved.

Can Children Divide Their Time Between Their Parents on Holidays?

Another possibility is for the child to split the holiday between their parents. They can spend the night before the holiday at one parent’s house, stay until the afternoon, and then go to the other parent's house until the next morning. While this arrangement can feel restrictive and involve a lot of travel, it works well for many families, especially when the parents live near each other. It allows each parent to have their own time with their child without needing to spend time with their ex. However, this does not necessarily work for some holidays. For instance, families who celebrate Halloween often focus on trick-or-treating in the afternoon and evening, making it harder to split the day. Other holidays like Christmas and Easter, which can be celebrated throughout the day, are easier to divide fairly.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a DuPage County, IL Divorce Lawyer

If you find it challenging to navigate co-parenting with your ex during the upcoming holidays, a seasoned Wheaton, IL family law attorney can help. At Fawell & Fawell, we have had many years of experience helping countless families reach tailored solutions that suit their unique needs. We love challenging ourselves to think creatively to find optimal solutions. Our motto is "Your Family, Our Priority", and we take that seriously. Call us at 630-871-2400 to schedule a free consultation to see how we can prioritize your family’s happiness.