Going through a divorce is difficult at any time of the year, but it can be particularly challenging during the holidays. This is especially true if you have children, as you will need to figure out how to split their time up between both households. Since it’s likely you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse will both want to spend as much time with the kids as possible, it’s important to work out a holiday schedule ahead of time that will satisfy everyone. To ensure you and the children have a joyous season, here are a few tips on dividing your plans.

How Parents Can Manage Holiday Scheduling When Going Through a Divorce 

Communicate Openly 

One of the biggest keys to sharing the holidays is making sure you and the other parent can communicate openly and effectively. If you have any specific holiday festivities that you want the kids to be part of, you must be clear about this and let your ex know in advance that you have something special planned. You must also be willing to talk over any events they may want to include the children in. 

Consider Celebrating Together

If you are on good terms despite the divorce and can avoid conflict, you and your ex may consider spending the holidays together with the children. This can help the kids cope with all the changes going on around them and provide the normalcy of tradition. This is generally an ideal solution for couples that have just recently split up, as the kids are usually still trying to get over the shock of the breakup. 

Keep the Children’ Best Interests in Mind

Rather than focusing solely on what a fair holiday schedule looks like, it’s vital to make sure your decisions revolve around the best interests of the kids. Think about what they will be happiest doing, and remember to keep them in the loop, so they have an idea of what to expect from day to day. Knowing what they can plan for will provide them some stability in an otherwise uncertain time. 

Putting in the effort to work out a holiday schedule for the children will make everything much less stressful for everyone involved. If you are going through a divorce and need assistance creating a successful parenting plan, the legal team at The Law Offices of Katzman, Logan, Halper, and Bennett, LPA can help. They offer residents throughout the Greater Cincinnati, OH, area more than 100 years of combined experience and have earned a solid reputation for guiding clients smoothly through sensitive domestic issues. Call (513) 793-4400 to discuss your situation, or visit them online for more information.