While it may seem early to think about the holidays right now, co-parents can benefit from planning ahead to avoid stress and conflict during the upcoming months. The holiday season can be particularly challenging for families navigating shared custody, as the logistics and emotional complexity of each family’s situation can prove to be relatively taxing. By addressing holiday plans early, co-parents can more effectively address the kinds of concerns that otherwise could lead to tension later.
With that said, it’s important to keep in mind that if you are already subject to holiday-related terms in a parenting agreement, you’ll need to honor them unless you and your co-parent mutually agree to alter them. And even then, you’ll want to seek legal assistance in formalizing these changes so that you aren’t held liable for “breaching” existing, legally enforceable terms if your co-parent suddenly has a change of mind and/or heart.
Key concerns
Whether you are subject to the terms of a parenting plan or you’re still crafting one, you’ll want to do what you can to make sure you and your co-parent are on the same page regarding the schedule for the holidays. If there are any uncertainties, you’ll want to work to clarify them now. Otherwise, no one will be able to plan or set expectations with any confidence.
It’s also important to remember that the holidays can be a time of intense emotions. To reduce stress, be willing to compromise (when possible and appropriate) and find solutions that work for everyone. Remaining rigid in your approach can potentially come back to bite you and/or your children if you aren’t careful.