The holiday season is usually a time to celebrate with friends, family, and loved ones, but when you are in the middle of a divorce, the holidays can feel anything but merry. Filing for divorce is never easy – especially when children are involved – but you shouldn’t let that ruin your Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa. To help you survive the holidays, our San Diego family law attorneys at Moore, Schulman & Moore, APC have come up with a few helpful tips.
Be Patient, Realistic and Flexible
Managing the demands of holiday parties and events can be overwhelming for anyone, let alone if you are celebrating the holidays for the first time as a single parent or divorcee. Remember to be patient with your family, your children, and, most importantly, yourself. Don’t get hung up on the idea that celebrations have to live up to those of holidays past. And, remember to be flexible. If you can’t spend time with your kids on Christmas, try celebrating on Christmas Eve.
Don’t Spend the Holidays Alone
If you are going through a divorce, you may be tempted to pull away from your family and friends – especially on joyous occasions like Christmas or New Years. While spending time alone can be beneficial, remember that the holidays are meant to be shared together. Leaning on your loved ones for support is one way to get through this difficult time. If you are not ready to make that commitment, consider volunteering your time to help those less fortunate than you.
Make New Traditions for the Holidays
Don’t try to live up to the traditions and expectations of holidays past – make new ones! While you can still carry on meaningful family traditions, your first holiday season as a single parent or divorcee is a chance to start a new chapter. As cliché as it may sound, there is no better time to establish a “new normal” for you and your family. This starts by adjusting to new family dynamics and creating holiday traditions of your own, even if it’s uncomfortable at first.
Cooperate with Your Ex for the Kids’ Sake
You and your former spouse may have ended things on a sour note, but that doesn’t mean that your kids should have to suffer the consequences. If only for their sake, try to cooperate with your ex as much as possible during the holidays. Remember to put your children’s’ best interests first. There are bound to be hiccups, but as long as you and your ex can agree to cooperate for the sake of your children, co-parenting during the holidays will be much simpler.
Remember to Take Care of Yourself
If you are a parent, your needs tend to come last. However, because the holidays coincide with the cold and flu season, it is even more important to take care of yourself. Leading up to holiday festivities, make sure you are getting the rest you need, fitting exercise into your schedule, and eating a balanced diet (in addition to holiday goodies). And, when picking out gifts for all of your loved ones, don’t forget to reward yourself for making it through this difficult time.
Filing for Divorce? Our Firm Is Here to Help.
Are you in need of an experienced divorce lawyer? If so, look no further than Moore, Schulman & Moore, APC. With more than 200 years of collective legal experience, our firm is well-equipped to handle a wide range of divorce and family law matters. All three of our founding attorneys are board certified family law experts, so you can trust that your case will be in capable handles when you turn to our firm for help. Please contact us today.
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