Navigating the holidays after a divorce can be challenging, especially if you share children with your ex. Unless a court order specifies where the children must spend the holidays, you and your ex will have to agree on a schedule that satisfies everyone. Discussing holiday plans may get contentious; however, you should be able to establish a satisfactory arrangement if you keep the following strategies in mind. 

3 Holiday Visitation Tips for Divorced Parents 

1. Focus On What Matters Most

Your children deserve a joyful holiday season. To give them that experience, you will inevitably have to compromise with your ex. To prevent petty arguments and ensure the conversation stays on track, focus solely on your kids. Sacrificing time with them over the holidays will undoubtedly be hard, but if it means they will be creating joy-filled lasting memories, it will be worth it. 

2. Consider All Possible Arrangements

There are several ways to divide up parenting time over the holidays. If both parents live near each other, for example, they might opt to split the day in question. Another popular arrangement is alternating years. If you get the children on Thanksgiving this year and your ex gets them on Christmas, you will have them on Christmas next year, and your ex will have them for Thanksgiving. Although this arrangement means missing out on every other holiday, it will allow your children to take part in traditions on both sides of their family. It will also allow you to spend an entire day with them when you do have them. 

3. Make Other Days Meaningful 

Just because you do not have your children on a particular holiday that does not mean you cannot still celebrate it with them. If the arrangement you end up devising leaves you without your children, celebrate the holiday on another day. Who says you can't eat turkey the week after Thanksgiving, for example, or open Christmas presents on New Year's Eve? The children might prefer these “double” celebrations.

The lawyers at Guillien Van Nuland, LLC can answer all your questions about sharing custody. Backed by more than 25 years of experience, their knowledgeable team represents clients throughout the La Crosse, WI, region, including Monroe, Vernon, Trempealeau, Crawford, Juneau, and Buffalo counties. They also counsel families in Houston, Fillmore, and Winona counties in MN. Call (608) 782-4411 to schedule an appointment, or visit them online to learn more about their family law practice areas.