Managing Weekends, Holidays, and Vacations

It is important to include your child’s opinion in the time he/she spends with your spouse during weekends, holidays, or vacations. Generally speaking, it’s safe to say that you can’t go wrong with alternating weekends or holidays. If your child spends this weekend with you, he/she should spend the next with your spouse.

But of course, you needn’t stick to this technical swapping. It may all depend on you and your spouse’s schedules and what works for the both of you. Bottom line is that your child should be feeling both your presences in his/her life. Managing weekends, holidays, or vacations can actually get quite personal.

Ask your child what he/she wants!

If your child particularly wants to celebrate a certain holiday with this parent over the other, then go ahead and let them have that holiday. Your child may have another holiday which he/she wants to share particularly with you. Being the adults, your understanding and mature comprehension of your own children will help you deal with your child’s particular needs. Make sure you ask your child if he/she feels that he/she is having enough time with one parent.

If not, then why not discuss with your spouse if he/she is willing to take the child for a vacation. Instead of summer at your mother’s house this year, your child can spend time with his/her father’s parents instead.

Make sure to include your child in the decisions

It may be difficult to let go of your child during those special holidays you cherish like Christmas or New Year. But remind yourself that you are thinking in the best interest of your child. He/she is not simply part of the property you may have divided. We are talking about a living, breathing person here– one who has feelings and opinions all the same. And because of this, he/she should be included in the decisions.

If you ask for your child’s opinion, this may even make it easier on the both of you since you will know that it’s a choice which your child wants.

The continual presence of each parent can do wonders for a child seeking guidance

Being apart from your child on a holiday may require some sacrifice on your part as parent, but ultimately you should know that giving him/her time with his/her other parent can actually show for a fruitful experience. You want to try and make this time of separation as harmonious as it can be for your child in order not to put him/her under any more added stress. Having to deal with the break-up of your own parents’ marriage is a lot to face up to and the continual presence of each parent can do wonders for a kid in need of guidance. Let him/her have time with you both. Share.

To learn more about divorce, please visit Divorce Guide.