Top Four Tips For Co-Parenting During The Holiday Season

With summer just behind us, it is hard to imagine that the winter holidays are just around the corner. Soon, though, it will be Thanksgiving and then Christmas and New Year’s. For parents that are divorced, particularly if the divorce is fairly new, this can be a very difficult time. If you are co-parenting with your former spouse these holidays, our Media child custody lawyer provides four tips that can help.

Create the Schedule as Early as Possible 

The earlier you and your former spouse can create a custody or visitation schedule, the better. If you make last minute plans or change them last minute, it is far more likely to result in conflict. This is particularly true if you want to make plans for your child during your former spouse’s time with them. If you can create a schedule early, you can make goals for yourself and plan for the time you really want to spend with your child. If you still need to change plans after the plan is created, try to provide the other parent with as much notice as possible.

Know What to Do when You Cannot Agree 

The court will make sure that any parenting agreement includes the holidays. You and your former spouse can deviate from these plans if you both agree to it. Still, you should get any agreement in writing, even if it is just a text message. When you and your spouse cannot agree, remember that the original order is still in place and you must both comply with it. If you cannot agree and your spouse is violating the order, you can petition the court to enforce it.

Separate Celebrations Can Reduce Conflict 

Many experts have stated that it can help children to see their parents spending time together during the holidays. This can be helpful if you and your spouse can be amicable with each other. On the other hand, if you and your spouse find it difficult to be in the same room together, seeing more arguments and conflict can actually make the holidays harder for children. If you and your ex cannot be civil to each other, you should plan separate celebrations.

Talk About Gifts 

Gift-giving can become very complicated over the holidays. You want to give your child everything they want, and so does their other parent. You should speak to your ex about the gifts you each plan to give your child. This will ensure that you both give gifts your child really wants, and that one is not more favorable than the other. It can also eliminate duplicate gifts, as well as many returns once the holidays are over.

Our Divorce Lawyer in Media Can Help with Disputes During this Time 

Again, the holidays can be a very difficult time for newly single parents and this can result in a number of disputes arising. If you have a dispute this holiday season, our Media divorce lawyer at Barbara Flum Stein & Associates can advise on the legal action to take to resolve it. Call or text us now at 610-565-6100 or chat with us online to request a consultation.

Sources:

legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=23&div=0&chpt=53

legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=23&div=0&chpt=33&sctn=1&subsctn=0