The holidays are not always the most wonderful time of the year for divorced or separated parents. Coordinating everyone’s schedules to allow the kids to participate in family get-togethers and holiday events can be tasking. Deciding together how to divide holiday time with Johnny and Susie will help make each parent's time with the kids extra special. Not everyone can agree on a holiday schedule. If you're curious as to how a Judge in Upstate SC will likely split the holidays, take a look at Judge Brown's Holiday Visitation.
Regardless of how parents split holidays, two keys to a successful holiday season with the kids are:
1. Flexibility: There will be times when an event ends late, or one parent gets off work early, etc. Be flexible to allow for unforeseen schedule changes and adjust pick-up and drop-off times accordingly.
2. Respect: Respect each other's individual time with the children. Don't unnecessarily interrupt by arriving extra early to pick them up or impose on an event without an invitation. Remember, when you display flexibility and respectfulness, the other parent will be more inclined to return the favor.
For an idea on how to share a two-household Christmas, check out this article. Generally, children adapt more easily than adults. There's no reason that the holiday season shouldn’t continue to be the most wonderful time of the year for your children, even if you are no longer together as a couple.
-Brittany M. Gray, Esq.
The Women’s Law Center