This is the next post in my series explaining how Las Vegas parents who share custody of their children can get through the holiday season smoothly. My last post provided an outline of topics that I will be discussing in the upcoming months. In this post I will be discussing the importance of reviewing the upcoming holiday schedule in advance with your co-parent.
Las Vegas parents who share child custody should not assume the other parent remembers the agreement
The holiday season can bring about feelings of anger and custody disagreements, particularly if it is the first shared holiday following a divorce. Prior to the holidays it is always a good idea for parents to meet and review their plans to ensure that both parties remember the agreement and are on the same page. The best time to do this is before Thanksgiving. One should review plans for all holidays and celebrations that are upcoming. For example parents should discuss any plans they have for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s Eve, or any Winter Breaks that the children get out from school. If any new events or changes have come up then now is the time to discuss them.
Going over the holiday agreement is a good idea for a number of reasons. First, it gives parents the opportunity to get on the same page so that they can both let their children know what the plans are for the holidays. Second, if either person wishes to request a change then it is a good opportunity to do so. While the custody agreement is mandatory, it is also important for both parents to be flexible for certain occasions. Examples which require flexibility include one’s traveling somewhere special for the holiday, if a baby has been born on one person’s side, or if a family member is ill. By discussing any changes either Las Vegas parent may wish to make ahead of time can avoid unexpected problems or arguments later.
Las Vegas parents should think of the children’s best interest when plans deviate from the custody order
If one parent asks the other for a deviation to the holiday plan then it is best to think about what is best for the children. Most custody plans are very generic and simply plan to rotate holidays evenly between parents. If a particular event is occurring that would be memorable or important for the children to attend, parents should consider allowing for the change. Letting children go on special family vacations, or seeing relatives that are not in town often may be worth it. However, it is also important to ensure that any additional holiday time one parent gets is “made up” in some other way. For example, getting the children on the next two Christmases, or getting Thanksgiving and Christmas the next year. Most importantly, parents should remember that the holidays should be about the children, and avoiding an argument is most important.
Contact my office today to speak with a Las Vegas child custody lawyer.