Handling Holidays Post Divorce

Handling holidays after a divorce can be challenging, if children are involved. Suppose you struggle to divide time appropriately or feel that your ex-partner is not allowing you to access your children? In that case, you may wish to enlist a family lawyer's help to ensure the process is a lot smoother and to help legally enforce child agreements when necessary.

Tips to help navigate the holidays after a divorce

Here are some tips to help make the process smoother:

Plan ahead

Create a holiday schedule or plan with your ex-partner in advance. This can help avoid conflicts and confusion and ensure everyone is on the same page.

Be flexible

Be open to making adjustments to the holiday schedule as needed. Sometimes unexpected events or circumstances can arise, and it's important to be able to adjust
the plan accordingly.

Focus on the children

Keep the focus on the children and what is in their best interests. While it isn’t always easy, try to put aside any personal conflicts or disagreements for the children's sake.

Communicate clearly

Communicate clearly and effectively with your ex-partner about holiday plans and any concerns or issues that arise. Great communication makes co-parenting a lot easier and can help avoid misunderstandings and any animosity that might arise from this.

Create new traditions

Consider creating new holiday traditions that reflect your current situation. Establishing new traditions can help create positive memories and make the holidays feel special despite the changes in family dynamics.

Consider alternating holidays

Consider alternating holidays between parents. For example, one parent may have the children for Christmas while the other has them for New Year or their birthday, then the next year, you would swap.

Be fair

Try to be fair and equitable when dividing holiday time between parents. This can help ensure that both parents have an equal opportunity to spend time with the children during holidays.

Sometimes it simply isn’t possible to see eye to eye with your ex-partner and it might feel impossible to get a holiday plan for the children set in stone. If this is the case, it might be time to enlist the help of a family lawyer to negotiate these difficult conversations and help ensure any agreements are stuck to.

A family lawyer can help navigate the complexities of school holidays for separated and divorced parents. Here are some ways that a family lawyer can assist:

Negotiating a holiday schedule

A family lawyer can assist in negotiating a holiday schedule or plan with your ex-partner that is fair and equitable for both parties.

Ensuring compliance with court orders

If there is a court order in place regarding holiday time, a family lawyer can ensure that both parties comply with the order and can take legal action if necessary to enforce the order.

Addressing conflicts

If conflicts arise between parents regarding holiday time, a family lawyer can help mediate the dispute and find a solution that is in the children's best interests.

Modifying court orders

If there is a significant change in circumstances, such as a change in work schedule or relocation, a family lawyer can assist with an application to vary a court order regarding holiday time if arrangements cannot be agreed directly between the parents.

Providing legal advice

A family lawyer can provide legal advice regarding your rights and obligations regarding holiday time and can help you understand your options and the potential consequences of different decisions.

Protecting your interests

A family lawyer can help protect your interests and advocate on your behalf regarding holiday time and other issues related to your separation or divorce.
Navigating school holidays as separated or divorced parents can be challenging, but a family lawyer can provide valuable assistance in ensuring the process is as smooth and fair as possible.While this is a process that takes time and patience, it's important to be kind to yourself and to seek support from friends, family, or a therapist if needed.

Do you need a lawyer to help navigate the holidays post-divorce?

At Dean Wilson, we have an expert team of family lawyers who can help ensure that managing the school holidays is fair and handled as smoothly as possible. Find out more about our services, or get in touch with our team to find out how we can help you today.