How Do You Make Shared Custody Work Through The Holidays?
Managing the holidays while juggling shared custody can feel impossible. If you create a schedule that isn’t overwhelming, focus on helping your child, and keep the lines of communication open with your ex, you can get through and enjoy the holidays. Accept that the holidays are going to be difficult whether your child is with you or not. Be prepared to deal with your child’s and your own feelings of loss, disappointment, anger, sorrow and guilt. Talk to your ex far in advance of every holiday. Plan out where the child will be during the holiday season, day by day. Most families alternate holidays: Mom gets Thanksgiving, Dad gets Christmas Eve, Mom gets Christmas, and so on, and then it reverses the next year. Make a holiday schedule that isn’t too overwhelming. Returning a child to Mom at midnight on Christmas Eve is too difficult. Plan the season so that your child has quality time with both of you and no one feels rushed or overcommitted. Focus on making the holidays enjoyable for y
