Mediate Michigan

The holidays can be a stressful time for families.  A great article on how parents can handle holiday time sharing may be found here.

The article advises:

Follow these tips to ensure the children – and family – enjoy pleasant and memorable celebrations this holiday season:

• Plan ahead. Parents should plan their holiday festivities as best as they can around their time-sharing schedule – always keeping in mind the best interests of the children.

• Split the day. If the families traditionally celebrate Christmas day, split the day in half, with one parent getting Christmas morning one year, and afternoon / evening the next. The same should be applied for New Years.

• Split the holidays. If parties celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, alternating them each year with the children allows each parent to celebrate with the children evenly.

• Split the holidays, part II. With eight days, Hanukkah gives families eight opportunities to celebrate. Parents can have their main celebration on any day and arrange each year prior to the holiday how to split the days for religious celebrations and gift giving.

• Accommodate out-of-town family. If one parent’s extended family has flown in for the holidays, the other parent can agree to relax time-sharing. While grandparents have no inherent rights regarding time-sharing, if they are in town, families can coordinate with one another regarding holiday time-sharing.

• Travel time. It’s OK for one parent to make travel plans without the children if it is not his or her year for the holiday with the children.

• Celebrate together. Ex-spouses can celebrate with one another and the children if it is an important family ritual – and the parents can get along.

• Be mindful of the children – and traditions. Try to observe or maintain traditions important to the kids. Don’t ruin the holidays for them with unnecessary shuffling back and forth or tension between parties. Be flexible. Have fun.