On behalf of The Law Office of Gustavo E. Frances, P.A.
Getting divorced is not something people plan on going through, and the process is difficult. This is particularly true when there are younger children involved. The first holiday season after a divorce can be especially hard on both parents and their children. At The Law Office Of Gustavo E. Frances, P.A., our Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer wants to talk about some steps you can take to help make the first holiday season after a divorce a little bit easier on everybody involved.
The Is A Difficult Time For Families
Regardless of your faith or beliefs, the holiday period from Thanksgiving through New Year’s is often the time when families get together and share meals and memories. For many, this is a time when extended family is around for the festivities.
The first holiday season after a divorce can prove to be incredibly difficult for both former spouses as well as their children. The divorce will still be fresh on everyone’s mind, and emotions may still be running high.
Some tips on how to make the holiday season less stressful after a divorce include:
- Agree on a visitation schedule:
You may have a court order explicitly stating where your children will be during the holidays. Be sure not to violate any court orders, or it could result in legal trouble and unneeded stress on everybody involved. However, whether you are the custodian or non-custodial parent, understand that holiday schedules can change. People can miss flights and storms can keep people in certain areas. Be ready to be flexible with the schedule over the holidays. - Surprise the children:
This is especially important if you are the custodial parent. As the custodial parent, you are involved in routine care and a day-to-day upbringing of the child. The other parent often gets to spoil the child since they do not see them as much. Children can view visitation with a non-custodial parent as a holiday. If you are the custodial parent, take a day and surprise your child. Find a special activity you two can do that will create memories. - Allow children to choose:
Your children need to know that they can spend time with either parent (as long as there are not court-ordered reasons they cannot). Do not complain to your child or express jealousy over their choices. - Don’t focus on finances and plan wisely:
A divorce can put a dent in finances. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, be reasonable during the holidays. Any extra expenses will only exasperate your financial situation. Focus on activities you can do without material costs. There may be games you can play as a family or local parks to go to. Quality time is what a child will remember. A gift will likely be forgotten by February.
If you are considering going through a divorce, we understand that this is a difficult time. Divorce is hard on everybody involved. Emotions run high, and if there are minor children, the situation is even tougher. At The Law Office Of Gustavo E. Frances, P.A., we are here to help our clients get through all aspects of a divorce. Our qualified and compassionate Fort Lauderdale divorce attorney will work to ensure you are treated fairly and that a favorable outcome is reached. Do not hesitate to reach out to discuss your case with us. You can contact us by clicking here or calling 954-533-2756 for a free consultation.
