Holiday Coping Skills to Help Children of Divorce

Divorce is hard on the entire family. Children, especially young children, have a particularly hard time coping with divorce – especially during the holidays.

Divorce makes every family situation more difficult and taints the things that are supposed to be beautiful. However, once parents are divorced, they still want to make the most of the holidays and celebrate what life has to offer – every child deserves that. It can be challenging to get your child into that fun, celebrative mood. Here's how you can help your kids cope, whether you are planning to have your kids celebrate with one parent or both.

Don't expect things to be amazing right away
Patience is a virtue, and having patience is the only way that you will be able to stay positive while trying to get your kids to enjoy the holidays again. At first, you might find yourself with disappointing results. Your children will be angry, hurt, frustrated, and dealing a variety of other negative emotions. They won't be able to adjust immediately, and it's up to you to create a loving environment where they can adapt to the situation. The first few holidays after the divorce might be rocky, but eventually your children will grow used to it and become more accepting. If you're celebrating without your ex, be patient with your child's emotions. If you're including your ex, then practice patience there, too.

Have Christmas on the 26th
In other words: be flexible and willing to try a different approach to the holidays. Christmas doesn't always have to be on the 25th. If you think it will make it easier to have two of the same holiday, or to have the holiday on a day other than it is supposed to be, then that is probably the right thing to do. If you need to travel in order to be with your kids, then it is perfectly fine to schedule it for another day. As long as you are together, it shouldn't matter if it doesn't happen on the calendar date. This will teach your children the valuable lesson of acceptance, and what kid isn't going to love having two Easters or Christmas each year?

Be creative with your holiday traditions

Giving your children something new to hold onto and look forward to is another way to help them adapt to the new situation. If they will be having two separate days for each holiday, then it is a good idea to get creative and make up a new tradition that will resonate with them in a special way and will make them look forward to next year!

And take the high road. Try your best to cooperate with your ex-partner, even if there are negative feelings and tension. You simply must find a way to work together if you want your children to have something look forward to and still be able to celebrate some of the most meaningful days of our lives.

A Michigan divorce lawyer in Macomb County Michigan can help you through the legal aspects of your divorce so that you can spend more time focusing on your children and their happiness. Contact Femminineo Attorneys today.

Femminineo Attorneys
Michigan Divorce Help
110 S Main St #200
Mt Clemens, MI 48043
United States
(586) 954-9500
http://www.michigandivorcehelp.com/