Managing the Holidays: After or During a Divorce

The Holiday’s can become a stressful period of time for anyone, but how can people after or during a divorce cope with the major transition of separation during the Holidays? The article Happier Holidays During and After Divorce by Jane Zatylny explains that preparation and creating new traditions are key to dealing with the Holiday’s. If you have children, do not wait to talk about the Holiday parenting schedule with your ex spouse or future ex spouse the week before the Holiday. It is easier to have a parenting holiday schedule in advance this way there are no surprises for either of you and equal parenting time can be awarded. Knowing in advance that you won’t have the children on a specific holiday will give you the opportunity to plan something with your family or friends, this way you are not spending the holiday alone. The goal is to plan for something that makes you happy, even if you are spending the Holiday’s without your ex spouse or children, this will prevent you from falling into a depression during the Holidays. Moreover, arrange for communication with your children if you are not spending the Holidays together, Facetime, Skype, phone calls, text messages, can make you feel closer to your children when you are apart, but keep in mind not to infringe upon the other parents Holiday time with the children.

If you are accustomed to spending the Holiday’s with your in-laws, or going as a family ice skating, create new traditions for the Holidays. If you don’t have children, and have spent the majority of the Holiday’s with your spouses or ex spouses family or friends, take this transition as an opportunity to spend more time with your family, friends or co workers for the Holiday’s. Don’t be afraid to reach out and tell people that you are alone and want to spend the Holiday’s with them. If you have children, and have family traditions during the Holiday’s create new traditions for you and your children. Just because you’re divorced or going through a divorce does not mean you and your children can’t create memories together during the Holiday’s. Ask your children what they would like to do, and make it a yearly tradition, or teach your children to cook or bake a certain type of dish and every year make it together.

The Holiday’s do not have to be stressful or depressing, make the best of your situation, don’t forget to plan ahead, and have open communications with your family and friends, to avoid spending time alone during the holidays.

Are you considering filing for divorce or separation? When a couple decides to dissolve their marriage, there are many aspects that need to be addressed including child custody and financial support, parenting time/visitation, spousal support and equitable distribution, to name a few. These are subjects that Long Island Divorce Lawyer Jay D. Raxenberg, P.C. has gained a great deal of experience in over the last two decades in Supreme and Family Court in the tri-state area. Please call (516) 491-0565 or toll free at (888) 543-4867 to arrange your initial complimentary consultation.