It's that time of year again when children are excited to dress up in their costumes and go trick-or-treating with their friends. But what about when parents are divorced or no longer together? How do they co-parent around the holidays? This can be a difficult task, but it's not impossible.
What Is Co-Parenting?
Co-parenting is when both parents are actively involved in their child's life. This can be done even if the parents are no longer together. Co-parenting can include both parents being involved in their child's schooling, extracurricular activities, and holiday celebrations, such as trick or treating on Halloween.
It's important to remember that co-parenting is not about the parents; it's about the children involved. Co-parenting aims to provide a stable and loving environment for the children where both parents work together.
Benefits of Co-Parenting
There are many benefits to co-parenting, especially around the holidays. When both parents are involved in their child's life, it can help reduce stress for the family. Co-parenting can also help build a stronger relationship between the child and both parents.
Some other benefits of co-parenting include:
- Helps children feel loved and supported
- Reduces stress for the family
- Builds a stronger relationship between the child and both parents
- Limits conflict regarding the child’s activities and lifestyle
- Both parents are there for their children’s big moments
Tips for Co-Parenting around the Holidays
If you are co-parenting this holiday season, there are some things you can do to make it a positive experience for your family.
- Communicate with your ex-partner: This is one of the most important things you can do. Discuss your plans for the holidays and be sure to communicate any changes.
- Plan ahead: If possible, try to plan ahead for the holidays. This will help reduce stress and allow you to enjoy the holiday season.
- Be flexible: Things don't always go as planned, so be flexible if things change.
- Put your children first: Remember that co-parenting is about the children, not the parents. Keep the best interests of your children in mind when making decisions about the holidays.
- Enjoy your time together: Spending time with your children and ex-partner should be a happy and exciting time. Together, you can celebrate holidays, milestones, and your lives.
Your Family Comes First
Choosing to co-parent can be a difficult decision, especially if you have complicated feelings for your ex-partner. While co-parenting might not be for everyone, it can benefit families, especially around the holidays. Our child custody attorneys at Testa & Pagnanelli, LLC can help you prepare to co-parent as you create your child custody arrangement and get ready for the holiday season.
Are you preparing to co-parent this holiday season? Schedule a consultation with our child custody attorney today by calling (610) 365-4733 to learn more about how this parenting process can benefit your family.