The holidays are supposed to be one of the happiest times of the year.  Many families come together to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa.  Grown children are visiting their parents and grandchildren are visiting their grandparents.  Many good memories are made during this time of year.

However, the holidays may not be so happy for families going through divorce in Bucks County.  The holiday season can be very sad and lonely. In addition to dealing with their own emotions, divorcing parents also need to help their children with their emotions during the holidays.  This year may be the first holiday season after a divorce, and parents may not know how to help their children cope with a holiday without both parents.

Holiday Child Custody Schedules – Keep Your Children’s Best Interests in Mind

For divorcing parents, the holidays can be very stressful trying to negotiate a holiday custody schedule.

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While no parent wants to spend any portion of the holiday without their kids, most divorced parents will unfortunately have to.  As divorce lawyers in Doylestown, Bucks County, we understand and know how difficult it is for our clients to try to divide the holiday with their ex.  When negotiating a holiday custody schedule, what the parents have to keep in mind is – what is in the best interests of the children?  Is it in their best interests to keep your children away from your ex?  If your ex is a good parent, it would not be in the best interests of your children to keep them away from your ex during the holidays, even if the two of you do not get along.

Divorced couples in Bucks County that are on good terms can negotiate and agree on a custody schedule as well as a holiday custody schedule without a custody order.  Those who are not on good terms and cannot agree on a custody schedule will need a custody order.  It is important that the custody order also includes a specific holiday schedule that has no ambiguity.  If there is ambiguity in the order and a dispute arises during the holiday, it will be very difficult to get the court involved to resolve the dispute in time. 

Helping Children Through a First Holiday After Divorce – Make New Traditions

Before the divorce, you and your ex may have had certain things you did as a family with your kids.  Rather than focusing on not being able to continue those traditions, perhaps create new traditions with your kids.  Reassure your children that the holidays are still special and surround yourself with people that love you and support you during this difficult time.