Divorces are emotional events for kids, especially around holidays and special family days according to most divorce law firms.
Suddenly, what had once been a family tradition will be completely different now that parents are no longer married.
Divorce lawyers find that even with good parenting, the first Christmas after a divorce can be upsetting for children of all ages.
The best way for parents to confront this possibility is by finding ways to help their kids - and themselves - through it in a way that reduces the tension and eases in these new circumstances.
Co-Parenting Through The Holidays
Attorneys with most divorce law firms advise their clients that pretending to be a whole family over the holidays, even if spouses divorced amicably, only delays the inevitable while reinforcing the idea that maybe mom and dad will still be together.
Instead of doing this, divorce attorneys suggest that co-parents come together to make the holidays about the kids, while also enforcing separate holiday time.
Some family time together to focus on the children is great as long as parents are on good terms, but there should also be plenty of separate time with each parent as well.
Divorce lawyers advise that creating a holiday schedule ahead of time that reflects what will be best for the kids is ideal, whether that means switching off holidays or spending one day with each parent on Christmas Eve and Day.
Most importantly, parents should avoid fighting over the kids and causing them more stress, instead doing everything they can to instill confidence in them that they are still loved and will have special time with each parent.
Creating New Holiday Traditions Can Help
A considerable issue that causes upset among children during their first Christmas after divorce according to divorce attorneys is the expectations that come with the holidays and the possibility of broken traditions.
While it will no longer be possible to uphold many of those traditions, the best way to move forward in making the years to come easier is by creating new traditions now.
Anything that promotes bonding time over the holidays like tree decorating, watching Christmas movies, driving around to see holiday lights, and more can become a tradition that gives kids something new to look forward to next year as attested by divorce lawyers.
Parents can continue existing traditions as well, as long as they are sensitive to how kids might react to the fact that their other parent is not there with them.
Do What Is Right For The Kids at Christmas
Overall, the most important way that divorce lawyers agree that ex-spouses can help their kids through their first Christmas post-divorce is by being flexible, agreeable, and understanding.
Divorce law firms advise that by putting the focus on the kids and what will be best for them, co-parents can plan a critical role in their kids’ happiness as well as their own.