The holidays are a time to come together with family and to spend extra time with loved ones. Although meant to be a light and joyous time, for couples going through a divorce the holidays can actually be very stressful. In fact, according to a poll conducted by Match.com, 76 percent of the singles surveyed reported that they had experienced a break up either before, during, or after the holidays.
There are many factors that may contribute to the demise of a relationship during the holidays; however, even more challenging can be surviving the holiday season as a recent divorcee. From figuring out holiday parenting schedules to coping with newly blended families, the following tips can help alleviate stress this holiday season.
Start a New Holiday Tradition with your Children
Although divorce may be tough on a couple during the holidays, it is important to talk to any children involved about their feelings too. Children may become accustomed to certain holiday traditions that you and your spouse used to share as a family. But just because you are no longer together does not mean that you cannot start new holiday traditions with your children. This may be a good time to introduce a new fun activity to do with your children to help them remain excited about the holiday season, despite the breakup.
Have a Positive Outlook
Regardless of how nasty a divorce may be, respect the fact that your children will be spending half of the holidays with your ex. Refrain from badmouthing your ex and work to get along during any group events.
Agree on a Holiday Parenting Schedule Ahead of Time
Shuttling your children back and forth during the holidays from various family events can be hard. However, figuring out a parenting schedule that both you and your ex-spouse agree on well before the holidays can make keeping the peace much easier. It does not hurt to outline all of the details like who will pick up the children and at what time prior to the children attending the event. Doing so can make the transition much more amicable for your children.
Make Time for Yourself
Although it is important to focus on the well being of your children and how they are handling the divorce during the holiday season, it is also equally important to make sure that you are well too. The holidays can be an emotional time and it is important to reach out to any family and friends if you feel lonely.
Contact an Experienced Divorce Attorney
If you or a loved one is contemplating divorce in the DuPage area during the holiday season, reach out to one of our DuPage County divorce lawyers at Sullivan Taylor, Gumina & Palmer, P.C. today. Our attorneys can help you figure out all of the details so that you can focus on spending time with your family.
