Navigating Family Day While Co-parenting
Holidays can be challenging when you and your family are going through a separation or divorce, particularly when child custody and support issues are involved. While Family Day is meant to represent a day off to enjoy family time, it can be overwhelming, stressful, and confusing for some.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t spend good quality time with your family if you are going through a divorce. Co-parenting can be effective and made more accessible with practice.
As family lawyers in Calgary, Jones Divorce & Family Law has a few tips for making Family Day memorable by creating healthy parenting arrangements.
Make Arrangements
Effective planning is crucial, particularly for divorced parents. Disputes over child custody during holidays can escalate without warning. Here are a few tips on how to manage this effectively:
- Be Fair – Negotiations about holiday time with the children should be approached in a fair manner. Remember, there are many holidays throughout the year. Alternating holidays or agreeing on specific ones can help balance each parent’s time with the children.
- Be Reasonable – Open communication about scheduling is key. Discussing and understanding each other’s desires and reasons for wanting the children on specific days allows for compromises that suit both parents and, most importantly, the children.
- Document Agreements – We recommend keeping a written record of all agreements to prevent misunderstandings. Whether through formal contracts, emails, or texts, having a tangible record can clarify future disputes. A formal parenting plan can outline the division of holidays and special occasions, ensuring fairness and consistency.
Consider Celebrating Together
We understand this isn’t the popular solution for being co-parents during the holidays, especially if only recently separated, but it also doesn’t mean it can’t work.
It’s not uncommon for couples to progress and consider the possibility of working together to make the holidays memorable for the children. Children need both parents, and showing them that you and your former partner can get along benefits everyone.
Celebrating events together shows your children that you are committed to creating a supportive environment for their well-being.
Listen to Your Children
The most crucial factor to consider when you and your former partner decide where the children will spend their holidays is the children’s best interests.
They should be the priority before your and your former partner’s wants, and if they are old enough to be aware of the situation, let them know they also have a voice. While the final decisions on parenting arrangements are for the parents to make – children appreciate being listened to and included in decisions in an age-appropriate way.
Wishing You A Joyful Family Day
Facing a separation or divorce requires careful consideration of various aspects that affect both parents and children. At Jones Divorce & Family Law, we are committed to guiding families in Calgary through these transitions with clarity and compassion. Our expertise extends to all facets of family law, including child custody and support arrangements.
We provide the support and guidance you need to make crucial decisions in the best interest of spouses and children. Contact us today to learn more.
Navigating Family Day and other holidays while co-parenting can be challenging. Still, with the right approach and support, it can also be a time of creating new, positive memories for your family.
The content provided in the blog posts of Jones Divorce & Family Law is general information and should not be considered legal advice. Please contact a lawyer for legal advice tailored to your specific situation. All articles are current as of their original publication date.
