News » Tis the Season to be Collaborative! How to Prepare for the Holidays

Christmas and New Years is fast approaching. It is a time when family and friends get together to celebrate and make plans for the upcoming year. Unfortunately, some families are not spending the holidays together as years gone past. For some, they are newly separated and/or divorced and for others, they have adapted to their new family situations. Regardless, all families need to plan for the holidays. Holidays can be stressful in the best of times, so when conflict over who gets the children and when, how will the gifts be chosen and paid for, and how parents come to an agreement about the holidays poses increased anxiety and uncertainty for some. The good news is that families can still enjoy the holidays despite what their new family looks like.  

As is the case for many families, not one solution will work for everyone. You need to look at your family traditions from the past, think about what is best for your children, and be open to change.

 Emery (2004) offered tips in his book “The Truth about Children and Divorce”:

• The holiday season is not all about you
• Get into the general spirit of the season
• Tell your kids what will happen this year and how it might be different
• Plan in advance with extended family
• Continue with the old traditions, but start new traditions too
• Plan for next year

 Most families who are successful at making the holiday’s positive plan in advance, talk with their ex-partner, and put their children’s needs first.

Happy Holidays to you and your families (in all forms)