815 Orienta Ave. Suite 1030 Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
815 Orienta Ave. Suite 1030 Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
For children, the period of holidays can bring substantial joy, and they are moments to treasure, a time to roam free and engage in fun-filled and unique traditional parties. But something devastating can take out such bliss and love, and it is from the parent angle—the ugly head of a divorce!
As the saying goes, when trouble comes at the door, love flies out through the window, and this is what a divorce is to parents, and especially to the children. For children whose parents have recently taken the decision to untie the knot, the holiday celebrations are bound to be an emotionally turbulent time. As routines change dramatically and traveling between the new separate households becomes the latest norm, this once-upon-a-time period of celebrations can become a bittersweet experience.
Even when parents take periodic custody, it's most likely they will not be able to spend every holiday with their children. This too creates unfulfilled promises and moments of disappointment to children and parents alike. As disappointing as it is, there are steps to be taking to address such challenges now and in the future.
It is imperative that every parent should remember being flexible is the first key. It is inevitable that complications and conflicts of interest will arise, even where there is comprehensive parenting agreement that includes children holidays. Speak with your divorce attorney in Orlando so that there is no confusion on the custody agreements you made during the divorce.
Thus, flexibility denotes that if for instance, your child desires to spend a holiday with your former spouse in keeping with a particular tradition, even when it's not the turn of that parent to enjoy that holiday; it will be good to let the child have his way. By conceding to your child's wish, you're being flexible while creating a better avenue for peace to reign.
As joyful and entertaining as they may be, holidays and birthday celebrations also represent a period of stress to children, especially in planning how the activities should go. Therefore, each separated parent should endeavour to provide the children with predictability and well thought out structure, especially when it comes to family celebrations. The children shouldn't be caught in the middle on how to go about such occasions. Let them know in advance the things to be done, so they do not have to make vital decisions on their own.
For children, the dramatic turnaround in routine in the aftermath of a divorce can be very challenging to handle. Before the divorce, did your family have any traditional celebration/holiday? If yes, ensure you keep your commitment to honoring such occasions as a means of easing the new transition.
Most families exchange gifts during holiday's celebration. If yours do before the divorce, try as much as possible not to compete with your ex-partner in an attempt to win your children's attention over with extravagant gifts. Such acts would only end up creating a rift between the children while forcing them to take sides—creating a guilty conscience and confusion.
Evil communication corrupts good manners. So, during the holiday period, try building your relationship with your children, not trying hard to sabotage your ex-partner’s relationship with them. In fact, the best way to win your children's heart is to always speak good about your ex-partner. This way, the kids will get to know you to be a good parent, one always wanting the best for them.
Above all, never forget the needs and interest of your kids at all times. If you need any assistance in drafting further parenting guidelines and child custody agreements, consult a well read and experienced Divorce Attorney in Orlando available at www.franksfamilylaw.com.