How to Handle the Holiday Season When Dealing with a Divorce in MA?

When you are going through a divorce, it might feel that life has come to a standstill. But the clock stops for no one, and soon you are going to have to face your first holiday season after a divorce in Massachusetts. It is time to get focused and address essential issues, such as how your kids will cope with their first holiday when both parents are not together. What should be the visitation schedule that works best for everyone during holidays? In this post, we will look at some useful tips that may work for you to get through the holiday season.

At Davis Law Group in Massachusetts, our dedicated family law attorney Jay Davis and his legal team have extensive experience in all types of divorce and family law matters. If you are contemplating a divorce, already going through one, or struggling with matters such as property division, child custody, or child support, we can provide you with strong legal representation and help protect your rights. Talk to us at (617) 752-6216 to get answers to your questions, or contact us online.

Plan Your Holidays Ahead of Time

Having a well-considered plan in place for the holiday season will clarify your mind and set you up for making the most of this festive time for you and your children. If you procrastinate, it will only add to your stress and end up making everyone unhappy. Here are some of the issues you can resolve ahead of time as part of your plan for holidays:

• Which co-parent gets to spend Thanksgiving or Christmas with the kids? If the special occasion will be split between the two households, what should be the timings that suit everyone?
• Are there some holiday celebrations and festivities (such as a Thanksgiving dinner) that could be done together for the sake of children?
• How to divide the responsibility for gifts, activities, and holiday traditions between the co-parents so that everything works out smoothly?
• Who will be responsible for picking up and dropping off the kids?
• What should be the timing and duration of video calls, if one of the parents is traveling or has relocated to another city?

Talk to Your Ex-Spouse About How to Share or Split Holidays

Initiate a conversation with your former spouse about the best ways to divide or share the holidays when children are involved. If the kids are of an age where they can make choices, it is prudent to ask for their suggestions too. You could consider splitting the holidays 50-50, which gives each co-parent an equal opportunity to spend time with children.

If kids are of a tender age, don’t hesitate from exploring the possibility of spending some quality time all together during the holidays. If you and your ex decide to divide the time equally, make plans in such a way that one co-parent gets to spend Thanksgiving, while the other spends Christmas with the kids.

Divorce attorney Jay Davis understands what a parent and their children go through during a divorce. While he is a thorough professional, he is also a parent and can completely empathize with the challenges of a divorce where children are involved. If you are planning to file for a divorce, or are facing challenges related to any ongoing family law matters, speak to us right away at Davis Law Group to request a free consultation. Call (617) 752-6216 or write to us online.

Take the Holiday Season as an Opportunity to Improve Communication

A recent divorce could mean that both sides are still blaming each other for the failed marriage, or have bitterness lingering on in their hearts. Anger and inner rage help no one in this situation. In particular, if children are involved, there is virtually no way you are going to escape from dealing with your ex-spouse from time to time.

Use the holiday festivities as an opportunity to build back the communication with each other, and restore a sense of normalcy as co-parents. Keep the focus on your children instead of your own pain, and then things will get easier for everyone. If you have the primary custody of your kids, and they are no longer in touch with the extended family from the other parent’s side, the holiday season could give you the opportunity to allow some interaction of the kids with the extended family as part of their wholesome upbringing.

If Your Ex-Spouse is Uncooperative, Obtain a Court Order

The possibility cannot be ruled out that your former spouse may fail to agree on anything you suggest for the holidays just to settle past scores. If this happens to you, it is time to set up a consultation with an accomplished divorce lawyer in Massachusetts, Jay Davis.

Jay and his team will move swiftly to assess your situation, and if all negotiations fail to work, they will help you get a court order to ensure a fair and reasonable parenting schedule prior to the holidays. Davis Law Group is committed to providing a robust legal representation to every client in Massachusetts for all types of divorce and family law matters. Call us today at (617) 752-6216 or reach us online to set up your complimentary consultation with us.