Archives

Parenting during the holidays

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Child Custody on Wednesday, December 21, 2016.

Divorced parents in Illinois understand the importance of the holidays for children. It is a time of year in which families come together, something that can be difficult for children of divorce. In most cases, divorced parents want to do the right thing and create a happy holiday for the kids. This will generally mean negotiating parenting time and ensuring that children have ample access to each side of their family.

Unfortunately, sometimes these good intentions aren’t enough. Misunderstandings and confusion can put a damper on the holiday spirit. That is why many experts recommend carefully planning holiday arrangements so that everybody knows what to expect.

In many cases, holiday visits are agreed upon at the time of the divorce. Over time, however, changes in schedules and living situations may require that the parents go back and renegotiate holiday arrangements. In situations where there isn’t an agreed-upon holiday schedule, it’s up to the parents to work together to decide when the children will be with each parent. In many cases, it’s a good idea to get this in writing so that there is no room for disputing the agreement at a later date.

Of course, it is also important to make holiday plans with the children’s happiness in mind. The plan should not just be based on adult wants or convenience.

Parents who are experiencing difficulty with their custody arrangements may benefit from speaking to a family law attorney. The lawyer may be able to review the client’s current visitation time arrangements and make recommendations regarding negotiations, mediation, and even a child custody modification.

Related Posts