Tips on Surviving Divorce During the Holidays

Coping With Divorce

Divorce is never easy. It’s emotionally taxing enough on its own, and when the holiday season comes around, it can be even harder to deal with mentally. Learning how to cope with divorce at any time of year can help you stay grounded and calm. However, when it comes to the holidays, it may be time for a little extra care. Here are some tips as to how you can get through the holiday season if you are going through a divorce.

Children and Holiday Timesharing Schedules

One of the most challenging elements of divorce is how to handle timesharing with children. When emotions are magnified, it can be challenging to agree when it comes to sharing time and developing a visitation schedule that works with children. To help alleviate conflict, implementing a timesharing schedule can help ease stress. Include the following three things in your visitation calendar to help keep both parents on track and minimize conflict:

Regular Schedule

A regular schedule maps out the designated days that the child will live with each parent. Some parents choose to divide this time evenly if they live near each other, others have 60/40 or even 70/30 schedules depending on each family's unique circumstances. 

Holiday Schedule

Be sure to add special occasions to your timesharing schedule. Whether religious observances or birthdays, each parent should get a fair amount of time for special events. 

Vacation Schedule

Due to school and work schedule conflicts, vacation planning may be challenging. One way you can effectively plan a vacation schedule is to know when your child has school breaks and summer vacations. This helps both parents plan and coordinate their work schedules.

International Custody and Timesharing

Creating a timesharing schedule that works during the holiday season can be tricky when one parent lives out of the country. It’s natural for parents to feel concerned about their child’s safety when traveling abroad. If you are worried about parental child abduction, here are some prevention tips:

• Obtain a court order that includes provisions for passports, travel restrictions, and custody and access details.
• Know the warning signs such as quitting a job or selling a home. This could indicate a plan to relocate.
• Contact law enforcement immediately and provide them with any documentation pertaining to court orders, international custody, as well as any restraining orders, if you believe the other parent has wrongfully removed your child from Florida.

When it comes to international divorce, custody, visitation, and abduction matters, it can be extremely complex. If you are concerned about your child’s safety and their risk of abduction, it’s imperative to contact an international family lawyer as soon as possible.

How to Have a Happier Holiday

It’s normal to feel confused and a bit lost when suddenly your family unit is split apart. If you are going through a divorce this holiday season, here are some tips to help you cope and have a happier holiday:

Create a New Tradition

It’s ok to keep your favorite tradition going if you want to. However, making new traditions can be a healthy way to start fresh. If you have children, they may enjoy having a special new holiday tradition with one parent for years to come!

Be Flexible

It’s hard to share visitation during the holidays, but if schedules change and one parent needs to make a last-minute adjustment to the timesharing schedule, be flexible and fair for the children’s sake.

Spend More Time With Family and Friends

If you are having some tough moments during the holiday season, call up an old friend or visit a family member you haven’t seen in a while. Having support from family and friends is a great way to help you cope with divorce.

Stop Feeling Guilty

Many divorced parents have guilt about the changes that their children will have to endure. Clear the guilt and show your kids how the holiday season can still be fun even if mom and dad are no longer celebrating together.

Contact an International Family Law Attorney

Getting through a divorce during the holiday season is no doubt a stressful situation. However, an international family law attorney will be able to help ease some of the burdens that come with the difficulties of divorce, child custody, and visitation.

Contact Ilvento Law, P.A. today at (407) 898-0747. With over 24 years of experience, we will help you get through the toughest of divorce and child custody challenges.