The arrival of fall in Tennessee means that the winter season is waiting in the wings. If you have divorced and currently co-parent to raise your kids, you and the other parent must prepare to adjust your custody schedule for the holiday season.
National Family Solutions offers a few ideas to get you started. Learn how to keep the peace when the seasons change and special days impact your child custody schedule.
Permanent holidays
Maybe you do not mind if your kids spend every Thanksgiving with the other parent as long as they spend every Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa with you. Having fixed holidays is an easy way to avoid confusion and confrontation, just make sure you remain honest with yourself about how important it is that you share specific holidays with your kids.
Alternating holidays
Instead of every Thanksgiving, you may want every other Thanksgiving or New Year’s with your kids. This could work out best for the parents and your kids, as everyone gets to spend a major winter holiday together at least every other year.
Shared holidays
If you and the other parent both want to see your kids for every holiday every year, consider splitting them. That means your kids get to spend Thanksgiving or Christmas day with the other parent and holiday evenings with you. With this option, be sure you account for the time it takes to get your kids ready and the time it takes to travel between houses.
This information is only intended to educate and should not be interpreted as legal advice.