The first holiday season after a
divorce can be emotionally overwhelming, especially if children are involved.
Many families celebrate traditions (i.e. visiting extended family, travel,
rituals, decorating, etc.) they highly anticipate year after year.
While divorced parents wish to make the holidays as joyous and festive
as possible for their kids and themselves, celebrating and making memorable
moments can be difficult after the separation of the family unit. Remember,
the first year after divorce will consist of significant adjustments and
change, so go easy on yourself and do your best to get through this holiday season.
The following are several tips to make the holidays easier:
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Create a schedule with your ex-spouse – Although it may be difficult to co-parent with your former spouse
after finalizing the divorce, focus on doing what’s best for your
kids. Schedule your holiday plans around your parenting agreement early
on. Without a plan in place, scheduling can be a point of contention,
which can potentially put a damper on the holiday joy.
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Start new family traditions – Continuing old family traditions can result in reminiscing how
good times used to be, which can lead to emotional turmoil. Instead, create
something brand new. Perhaps visit friends who are out of town, volunteer
to help the less fortunate, attend a concert or show, or host a potluck
gathering.
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Take a vacation – If you wish to get away from all the people and places that remind
you of your previous life, going on vacation can be a chance to avoid
thinking about all the drama associated with the divorce and just relax.
Whether you take off a few days or even a week, take your mind off of
your divorce and immerse yourself in a new place.
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Validate your children’s feelings – No matter how hard you try to make things fun during the holidays,
your children may still feel sad, angry, or confused about life after
divorce. Let them know that it is perfectly fine to have these feelings
and you are always there for them. Helping them express their emotions
and guiding them through their new life can make them stronger in the end.
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Take care of yourself – If you want to make the holidays the best they can be, it all starts with
focusing on yourself. Eat well, get enough sleep, exercise, and lean on
your support system of friends and family if things get rough. When you
take care of yourself, you will act as a good self-care model for your kids.
If you are interested in filing for divorce in Daytona Beach, FL,
contact our experienced family law attorney at the
Law Offices of Robert Stepniak today.