The holidays can be tough especially if this is the first time your children are experiencing it apart from a parent. Typical custody arrangements allow for the holidays to be divided among the parties. One parent may have Thanksgiving and the other Christmas. Thus, the children may be missing out on family traditions with one side or the other and missing seeing grandparents, cousins, aunts or uncles.
If you have the holiday and it is appropriate and reasonable, consider letting the children call the other parent or grandparents or other family members they have a close relationship with and normally see at holidays. Better yet help the children pick out gifts for those individuals. This goes a long way to creating good will in parenting and to assist the children in knowing that you still care about their relationship with others in their lives. It further is a testament to your willingness to co- parent and cooperate with the other parent. Although you and your ex may no longer be together, it is about the children and making sure they have a fun filled drama free holiday.
Happy Thanksgiving from the Luna Law Firm, PC.
K. Beth Luna, Esq.
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