Managing partner of Woll & Woll named Top Lawyer for 2019 by DBusiness magazine
November 1, 2018Managing Partner, Jessica Woll, discusses co-parenting with your ex during the holidays and some tips to always keep things “child-centric”
December 4, 2018Media Contacts: Jason Brown; Public City PR, 248.252.1687; jbrown@publiccitypr.net; MaryConnell Linton, Woll & Woll, 248.354.6070; mlinton@wollandwollpc.com
When we think of the holidays, we would all like to think about peace, harmony and good will. Holidays are times for our children to have a ball and create lasting memories. Unfortunately, over 4 million divorced parents in the United States may not feel happy when it comes to thinking about the holidays. But regardless of how you feel about facing this year’s holiday season, I am sure that you want the holidays to be a good time for yourself, but more importantly for your children.
Here are 6 quick tips that I hope will make the season a little easier for you and your children:
1. Be “CHILD-CENTRIC” at all times.
Your kids get one childhood and that is it! In the grand scheme of life, we all know that childhood is fleeting. You, as the parent, have a great deal of influence over the type of childhood experience your child receives, so don’t screw it up. Your child’s needs come first. Always ask yourself what will (insert your child’s name here) benefit from the most? What will create happy holiday memories for him/her? Put yourself in your children’s shoes when answering these questions. Follow the answers and you will be placing your child’s needs first. And yes, this may mean allowing your child to pick out a gift for the other parent, at your expense.
2. Be Flexible.
Remember that your children are growing and, as they grow, his/her needs will change. A holiday parenting time schedule created when your daughter was five years old may not be right for her when she is fifteen. If your judgment of divorce calls for equal parenting time over the winter break and holidays, remember that mathematical equality might not be perfect for your child every year of his/her life until they reach 18 years of age. Therefore, by way of example, if your spouse has tickets to the Nutcracker and the performance happens to fall on your parenting time and your daughter loves the ballet; being ‘child-centric,’ I am sure you will understand the value of allowing her to go to the show! For many of you, the time away from your children during the holidays is devastating. It can feel terribly wrong and unfair. But remember, the better you feel, the better off you and your children will be, so be kind to yourself and find healthy ways to cope with your new parenting reality.
3. Share time with your children with your ex-spouse.
OK, being a divorce attorney for more than 20 years has taught me that this is usually not possible, but I have to tell you that young children want nothing more than to spend time with both of their parents —AT THE SAME TIME! This could not be truer than during the holidays. If you can stomach it, try to include your ex in one of your side of the family’s events or plan a small outing for just you, your ex and the children. The event could be as simple as going to a family movie. I like the movie idea because it does not allow a lot of interaction, but it does provide togetherness for your kids. Have the children sit in the middle!
4. Start a new family tradition.
After divorce, your children also start a new chapter in their lives. Starting a new tradition with your kids may help to ease the loss they may feel as a result of their parents’ separation. Here is a list of ideas for new traditions that you can share with your children every year, as they grow:
- Volunteer for a local charity.
- Buy gifts for families in need.
- Make special decorations for the holiday.
- Make special gifts by hand.
- Start a cookie exchange.
- Read a special holiday book.
- Create a ‘Grateful Journal’ that you write in every year.
- Have a special holiday-themed meal – i.e. food from a different country every year.
- Take a family outing – i.e. Henry Ford, Greenfield Village, DIA.
- Check out the holiday lights.
- Take a family trip.
5. Fake it ‘til you make it.
Again, if you are being “child-centric”, the holidays are the worst time to utter even one negative comment about the other parent or his/her family. You may not be able to control your ex, but you certainly can control your own actions. I am sure a lot of you are divorced parents because of the fact that you have been wronged by your ex. That is where the “faking it” comes in. You may have to “fake it” to shelve your feelings and say nice things about your children’s other parent and/or family. Your children do not need to know how badly you will miss them or that you cry when they leave. Instead, they should be told how much fun they will have with their other parent and his/her family. Try to think of one special event that you know will occur while they are with the other side of their family and share it with your kids before they leave.
6. Communicate with your ex in advance.
Planning ahead for the holidays is very important to ensure that the holidays go smoothly for your family. It may also save you from scrambling to court at the last minute to enforce a holiday parenting time agreement. Your goal, of course, is to stay out of court. Therefore, try to make a plan with your ex husband/wife several weeks or even months before the holidays are here. If necessary, confirm your plans in writing. Never use your children as a go-between to determine the plan. Making the schedule should never be your children’s responsibility.
The complete article can be found at: https://thejewishnews.com/2018/11/27/six-holiday-survival-tips-for-divorced-parents/
