As the end of the year approaches, many divorced and separated parents are experiencing anxiety about the holidays. COVID-19 has only added to the difficulties of planning custody between two different households, and the stress and hardships of the year can make the thought of dealing with coordination issues seem insurmountable. In this post, we’ll discuss how to handle the challenges that often arise when coordinating child custody during the holiday season.

At Fairell Roy & Associates , we understand that the holiday season is a difficult time for many families. If you’re experiencing difficulties coordinating custody during the holiday season with your ex, know that experienced and competent representation is only a call away. Get in touch with our office to learn more, and read on below for a few helpful tips.

The best way to avoid unnecessary bumps in the road is to follow the parenting plan that’s been approved by the court. Make sure that you arrive on schedule, drop the children off when you say that you will, and keep in touch with the other parent if something changes. It sounds simple, but open and honest communication is truly the best way to ensure that your holiday celebrations are as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Planning ahead and honoring the parenting plan aren’t just good for you, either. Sticking to your plans provides your children with a sense of stability and security that comes with knowing what they can expect in the weeks and months ahead.

Unfortunately, the holiday season is often a time when divorced or separated parents seek to top the other parent’s holiday plans. Whether it’s expensive gifts, extravagant family activities, or another way of making the other parent look inferior, know that your children will likely pick up on the efforts and feel like they’re being used in a game of tug-of-war.

Instead of taking an adversarial approach, see if you can come to agreements about how much you will each spend on gifts. You can even coordinate gifts together and find ways to make each household’s celebration an extension of the other’s. Each parent could get a piece of a matching outfit, or one parent could purchase accessories for a gift purchased by the other. No matter what you do, remember that the holidays are supposed to be a time of love and coming together, even if you and your spouse didn’t separate or divorce on good terms. Focus on providing your children with a holiday season filled with love, support, and goodwill from one household to another.

Of course, goodwill is an aspiration that simply isn’t possible for some divorced parents. If you’re gathering with family members for the holidays or listening to your children talk about their celebration with the other parent, you might find yourself tempted to make pointed comments and remarks. The temptation is completely understandable, but it’s important to avoid badmouthing the other parent in front of your children. If the court discovers that you’ve made disparaging remarks about the other parent, you could find yourself facing legal repercussions.

If you and the other parent can’t come to an agreement about your holiday schedule or how to navigate the coming weeks and months, we recommend getting in touch with an experienced family law attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options.

Fairell Roy & Associates is an Atlanta family law firm dedicated to providing clients with expert legal representation. We get to know you, your family, and your needs so that we can find the best possible solution that puts your interests first.

We are also hosting live Q&A sessions on Facebook each week in which we answer viewer questions from the public chat and our private messages. If you have a quick question about child custody, please stop by our next session and we’ll be happy to help.

Contact our office to schedule a consultation, and read the posts below for even more information about child custody: