Even parents who have been divorced for many years are probably looking for ways that they can take some of the stress out of the holiday season. Since child custody matters are a big source of stress during this time of year, parents who have a shared custody arrangement should take the time to plan properly right now. Going into the hustle and bustle knowing what to expect can be beneficial.
Before you start looking at the schedule for the holidays, you need to get your focus where it should be. The holidays are a time to enjoy family. There might be some events that come up that require an adjustment to the regular custody schedule. Be willing to work these out with your ex, no matter who is requesting the change. Thinking about what your children will enjoy and what is best for them should be the primary focus of your thoughts.
As you make the plans for when the children will be at each parent’s home or holiday events, think carefully about how holiday traffic might impact your travel plans. You don’t want to have to always rush around during this time of year. Making sure that you leave enough time between activities can greatly reduce your stress.
When there are conflicts that arise, remember that you can set the standard for how things are handled. If you remain calm, there is a good chance that things won’t get too tense. If you do find that there are custody or visitation issues that just can’t be worked through, you might have to turn to the court. Of course, this is only going to be necessary for serious conflicts.
