Understanding co-parenting in Tennessee during the holidays

When holidays arrive, co-parents deserve to understand how to help their shared children celebrate with family around Tennessee with a minimum of frustration.

Divorced parents in Tennessee invest a lot of time and energy into navigating co-parenting, but holidays could render a tight schedule meaningless. For instance, kids may not have school or after-school activities, or the family may have special traditions that require different pick-up and drop-off times and locations. When various holidays arrive throughout the year, co-parents and their shared children deserve to know how to adjust to the changes without missing a beat.

Have a well-designed plan

Co-parents could get together to discuss holidays and holiday traditions they care about. That way, they may work together to create a plan and schedule for their shared kids. Depending on whether both parents want to spend the same holiday with their kids, they may need to compromise on splitting the special day with their children or discuss giving up traditions that create more headache than joy.

It also makes sense to discuss children’s shifting needs while drafting a holiday plan. For example, the schedule may need to include time for naps or downtime.

Focus on the kids

Just as with any parenting plan, a holiday parenting schedule must prioritize the kids and their needs. While mom and day may want to make several quick visits to different relatives’ houses, the children may only have enough energy for three or four trips. Parents may also want to ask their kids which holiday traditions they like and which they dislike, to better ensure the children stay happy and create treasured memories.

Remain willing to compromise

Because parenting plans center on the kids, parents must expect to compromise during the holidays. A child could change her or his mind suddenly about wanting to go visit specific relatives, or kids may fall ill at the last minute.

Rather than wait for disaster to strike, it makes more sense to build contingency plans into the holiday parenting schedule. That way, co-parents know how to respond to an emergency or sudden shift in plans in real-time.

Remember self-care

While kids deserve to remain the number one priority over the holidays, mom and dad cannot forget to care for themselves. Holiday parenting plans may include blocks of time for co-parents to take time for themselves and engage in self-care. When parents take care of themselves, they put themselves in a better position to tend to their kids.

Divorced parents in Tennessee deserve to feel prepared for every aspect of raising their kids in separate households, no matter the time of year. Speaking with experienced family law professionals may help divorced parents make their lives easier and their shared kids’ lives better.