Making the most of holidays as a California co-parent

By |2022-03-31T18:58:39+00:0028 Nov 2013|Categories: Divorce, Joint Custody, Visitation Rights|

Making the most of holidays as a California co-parent

For most California families, the holiday season is something to look forward to. Some, however, may feel less cheer, particularly those in which parents have gotten recently divorced. In these cases, previous years of gift giving and enjoying a holiday dinner have now been replaced with car trips in which children are shuttled back and forth between separate houses.

Like much of the time after a child-custody case has been settled, the holiday season can be emotional for family members as they are acutely reminded of what has changed. Even if a custody agreement has been reached and the visitation rights and arrangements of the noncustodial parent have been recognized, everyone involved may feel stressed out.

Holidays, however, should not be about the negative feelings that either of the divorced parents have but about making the time memorable for their children.

There are many ways that can help co-parents survive the holidays. First, they have to plan ahead and figure out whether they want to create new traditions or approaches to gift-giving and family celebrations or find ways to use the old ones. When children spend holiday time at each parent’s house, every minute should be in pursuit of worthwhile activities.

If the divorce transition during the holiday season is too emotionally difficult for parents, then they might consider celebrating the holidays together for the sake of the children, but only if they can at least temporarily put aside their most emotional issues.

Many legal and practical issues may be involved in co-parenting and divorce in California. An attorney may be able to help both parents achieve the appropriate type of custody that is most suitable to their circumstances. If parents go for joint custody, a parenting plan should address co-parenting issues that might arise during the holidays.

Source: Huffington Post, “Surviving the Co-Parenting “Holiday Shuffle,” Michelle Crosby, Nov. 18, 2013

About the Author:

Dorie Anne Rogers - The Law Offices of Dorie A. Rogers, APC
Dorie A. Rogers, a Family Law Specialist, Certified by the State Bar of California, has been an attorney since 1981 with an exclusive family law practice located in Orange County. She is accepting dissolution cases with support and property issues including the use of forensics to ascertain business value, community interests and to establish monthly case flow analysis. Ms. Rogers has substantial experience in high conflict custody litigation involving sophisticated psychological issues. She drafts premarital and postmarital agreement designed to define and establish parties' separate and community property interests. Paternity cases and domestic violence matters are considered part of her practice. Ms. Rogers is a court-approved and court-appointed to represent minor children.Ms. Rogers consults with individuals concerned about entering or exiting a relationship. She advises effective strategies for dissolution or premarital planning. Knowledge is power and good planning affords better results.Specialties: Family Law Specialist, Certified by the State Bar of California
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