“Why are stores selling Halloween decorations in mid-August?” you may have wondered recently. This is a valid question. One of the many reasons why holiday preparation efforts seem to be happening earlier and earlier every year is that holidays tend to sneak up on people. Americans are a busy bunch and if they aren’t prompted to start planning for holidays well in advance, that preparation just might not happen.
In that spirit, for better and for worse, if you co-parent a minor with your ex, it’s time for your annual reminder that you need to start planning for your child’s winter holiday break. If you don’t start planning now, you may not be able to avoid significant tensions that are preventable with advanced planning, clear communication and shared expectations going into that season.
How to get started
As with any co-parenting decision, it’s critical to keep your child’s best interests at the forefront of the process as you and your ex are negotiating or clarifying (if your parenting plan already dictates how holidays should be handled to some degree) your child’s upcoming winter break. With that said, you’ll want to consider your needs and your co-parent’s as well in order to make this a less stressful time for all.
Every family is different, so it’s important to know that how others handle their holiday time may or make not work for your family. Some families allow each parent to have their child every other year for certain holidays. Others celebrate together, while still others split their time evenly and on and on.
Regardless of how you ultimately resolve your child’s upcoming schedule, keep in mind that mutual respect can go a long way. If a respectful resolution of your situation isn’t possible, seeking legal guidance now can help ensure that your differences are resolved before the holidays roll around.