5 Tips to Keep the Holiday Cheer When the Children are with your Ex
Hobson & HobsonFamily LawAs the holiday season comes upon us, we become more and more excited about time with family and friends, enjoying good food, and creating lasting memories. If you’re divorced, recently or otherwise, your holidays may be looking very different this year. In fact, your ex may have the kids, and this may be the first holiday you are spending apart from them. You may be looking at the upcoming holiday with anxiety and heartache instead of excited anticipation.
One of the hardest parts of co-parenting is having to spend the holidays without the kids. There’s no doubt about it, and you are not alone. The first holiday is always the hardest. As time goes on, you will find a new normal that works for you and your kids but give yourself some grace as you work towards finding it. An important thing to remember is to keep the holiday cheer, both for yourself and for your children. You are one of the most important figures in their life. If they see you are sad about them leaving for the holiday, they will be more worried about you instead of enjoying time with their other parent. Instead, create some new traditions that you all can look forward to each year.
As you plan for your holiday without the kids, consider doing or several of the activities listed below.
- Have your celebration on a different day: Decorate, invite friends and family to join you, go all out. There’s no reason this day should be any different than if it fell on the actual holiday.
- Volunteer at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen on that day: This day is all about giving thanks. What better way to spend time than serving someone else if you can’t be with your children. You never know who you will meet or what new friendships you will make. This could be the start of a new tradition that you can share with your children next year.
- Visit Family or Friends: There are people who love you and want what’s best for you. Take a little trip and spend time with loved ones. It’s a good distraction; the time will fly by, and you’ll be back with your kids before you know it.
- Host others in a similar situation: Carry on with your normal holidays traditions and expand the table for friends and family. Have everyone bring a food item and make it a party to remember. The truth is, you probably know at least one other person who is feeling the same way you are about the upcoming holiday and could use a support system to help keep the holiday cheer.
- Take some time for yourself: At some point during the day, take time to focus on yourself for at least a couple hours. Give yourself time to relax and decompress while you do have time to yourself.
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Attorney Sarah Hobson at Hobson and Hobson, P.C. are powerful advocates for those who fight for better futures for those going through divorce and custody law matters.
