When the holidays happen after a divorce, it can be somewhat difficult for parents to know how to address it. They probably have a custody schedule, but it is likely based on their work schedule and the children’s school schedule. The holidays are very different, and it needs to be adjusted.
Additionally, of course, parents want to know how to spend the holidays with their children even though they are no longer married. Below are three options.
1. Do it every other year
First and foremost, you could have the children this year and they could go to your ex-spouse’s house next year. This is a tactic that is often used by parents who do not live physically close to each other. It’s simply easiest to divide the years so that you have one year with the kids and one year off.
2. Divide the day
Another option is to split each holiday in half itself. Taking Christmas as an example, the children could stay with your ex on Christmas Eve and wake up there in the morning, but then they could come over to your house around lunchtime and stay for the afternoon. Both of you get to have half of the day with the kids, so you both get the excitement of the holidays.
3. Spend the day together
In some cases, parents are actually on good enough terms that they don’t mind simply spending the day together. This is not possible for everyone, and understandably so. However, if you and your spouse are in this sort of emotional space, you may be able to make this happen.
As you work out the details, be sure you know about all of the legal options you have and your rights as a parent.
