Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday Custody Schedule

The holiday season brings with it the promise of joy and togetherness. Yet, for separated or divorced parents, this period can often usher in challenges and stress when they try to coordinate a custody schedule that meets everyone’s needs. Remember, you’re not alone.

Single parents across Virginia Beach face the same struggles, but with careful planning and a spirit of collaboration, you can ensure the holidays remain a time of celebration for everyone involved. The Virginia Beach family law attorneys at Pincus Goodman, P.C. offer the following tips on creating a stress-free holiday custody schedule.

Potential Custody Challenges During the Holidays

While the holidays are a time of celebration, they can also create intense stress for parents, especially separated or divorced parents. Many custody-related conflicts and challenges can arise during the holidays, such as:

• Differing Traditions and Celebrations: Each parent may have distinct family traditions or religious celebrations they wish to share with their child. It can be challenging to ensure that the child gets to experience both sets of customs without feeling overwhelmed or torn between their parents.
• Travel and Logistics: The holidays often involve travel, whether it’s a short trip across Virginia Beach or a longer journey to visit extended family. Coordinating pick-up and drop-off times, managing potential travel delays, and ensuring that both parents get quality time with the child can be difficult. This can be a particular challenge if parents do not have a formal agreement regarding custody during the holidays.
• Emotional Strain: Parents may feel the sting of past conflicts, or the child might prefer spending time with one parent over the other. These emotions, if not addressed, can lead to increased tension and disputes.
• Last-Minute Changes: Being flexible while also ensuring fairness can be a challenge, especially during a season that’s already bustling with activities. Again, this is a challenge that parents without a formal custody schedule are more likely to encounter.

Tips for Managing Child Custody During the Holidays

The most important thing to remember when it comes to where your children will spend the holidays is to keep their feelings and best interests in mind. Remember, the goal is to make this season as pleasant for them as possible. Here are some tips to help make that happen:

Plan in Advance

Draft a comprehensive list of all annual holidays and festivities. Once outlined, sit down with the other parent and negotiate how you’ll divide time with the children.

Alternate Holidays Every Other Year

Alternating holidays yearly can help ensure children get equal time with each parent. For instance, if the children spend Thanksgiving Day with one parent this year, they would spend it with the other parent the following year.

Split the Holiday

With a touch of coordination, you can divide the day. One way to manage it is to have the child spend mornings with one parent and afternoons with the other. This way, children get to celebrate with both parents on the special day.

Double the Celebration

Why not let the festivities spill over to more than one day? For example, if the children celebrate Thanksgiving Day with one parent, they can enjoy post-Thanksgiving festivities with the other parent the next day.

Adopt a Co-Parenting Calendar App

Given the demands of daily life and the potential complexities of communication between separated parents, using a shared family calendar app can be a game-changer. These digital tools can help keep everyone on the same page, reducing misunderstandings and ensuring clarity.

Talk to a Family Law Attorney When Needed

We recognize that not all co-parenting relationships are smooth. In instances where disputes arise, meeting with a family law attorney can be beneficial. They can offer valuable insights and solutions for issues like:

• Streamlining time-sharing arrangements
• Managing out-of-area holiday travel concerns
• Addressing increased holiday-related child support expenses

If you need a Virginia Beach child custody attorney this season, Pincus Goodman, P.C., is ready to help. Call (757) 301-9634 or complete our contact form for a consultation.