The holidays are officially upon us and while it is a wonderful time of year, for divorced couples with children, figuring out a parenting schedule can be stressful. It’s understandable that both parents would want to have their children with hem to celebrate the season, but when parents live in different houses, then compromises must be made. As experienced divorce and family law attorneys in Wheat Ridge, Golden, and Littleton, we often see this time of year become a time of unhappiness and disdain for both the separated parents and children alike. That’s why we suggest discussing the holiday plans well in advance, so arrangements can be made and plans can be changed if necessary.
Jefferson County Divorce Attorney: Best Interest of the Children is the Priority
It is always in your children’s best interest to get along with their other parent. While contentious issues may have led to your Jefferson County divorce or separation, the holidays are a time to set aside those differences. Set an example of kindness and cooperation for you children by working with your co-parent to decide when the child will be with each parent and how the time will be spent so your children have happy memories of their 2017 Christmas season. Discuss who will handle which activities, as you don’t want to overwhelm your child with the same things over and over again. Communication is key, because it will lead to a positive experience for your kids, which is always in their best interest.
Co-Parenting and Communication in Wheat Ridge and Mountain View
While ideally both parents would be able to put aside their issues to focus on the children during this time, it may not be feasible. If this is the case, there are some things you can do to get the same result, without the stress of having to directly communicate:
- Communicate through your family law attorney;
- Set up a mediation appointment to hash out the holiday details; or
- Use a family friend/ impartial third party to communicate through.
Sometimes, tensions are too high and any communication ends up in yelling or arguing. Using someone else to facilitate the communication can help keep the stress level lower, while allowing for the same outcome: compromises that will give your children a happy holiday season.
If you are separated or getting a divorce and preparing for child custody arrangements over the holidays, contact the best family law attorneys at Pearman Law Firm at 303-991-7600 for a phone consultation.
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