For Californians who are going through divorces, the holidays can be especially difficult. If they share children, they should remember that the holidays are likewise difficult for the children. By keeping the kids in mind, the parents might make the holidays less stressful for the whole family.
Divorces often involve feelings of bitterness and emotional conflict. However, it is important for parents to try to set these feelings aside during the holidays for the benefit of their children. This means being flexible with schedules and visitation times. For example, if a specific relative only visits the ex during the holidays, allowing the children to visit that family on Christmas may be a good idea. Parents who want to have their children for every holiday might want to think about how they would feel if the situation was reversed.
For most divorced families, it’s important to share the holidays. For example, they could divide up the day for morning and evening celebrations or have their celebrations on different days. Even if the parents feel bitter toward each other, they should remember that they will always both remain the children’s parents.
During a divorce, spouses with children may have to come up with custody and visitation agreements that are beneficial for everyone involved. Family lawyers who have experience in handling child custody and divorce cases could help their clients to view cases logically instead of through an emotional lens. This might help them avoid protracted litigation and to reach agreements short of heading to court.