Co-Parenting at Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of the most celebrated holidays in the United States. All races and religions, and many traditional and non-traditional families come together to give thanks for the many blessings we enjoy. Unfortunately for some divorced families, Thanksgiving can feel less than blessed when child custody issues interfere.

Co-parenting over the long Thanksgiving weekend can become difficult, as many families travel to be with their loved ones. Children of divorced parents may feel torn between traditional celebrations with their grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins when the families split. With a little pre-planning and a lot of compromise, Thanksgiving can be a happy celebration for all involved.

Working Together for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving

Parents who can work amicably after a divorce are more likely to provide a stable life for their children, filled with happy memories that include both sides of their family. The following are a few suggestions to help you plan a Thanksgiving your children can enjoy with both parents as well as their friends, family, and relatives.

Alternate holidays – Alternating Thanksgiving weekend each year is a possible solution to the conflicts that can arise when sharing a holiday with a co-parent. When each parent agrees to have their children every other year, Thanksgiving becomes a special holiday for everyone. Extended families get to enjoy the children, parents get to celebrate the holiday with their children, and long-standing traditions from both sides of the child’s family can become part of their lives.

Split the weekend – Sharing Thanksgiving weekend is another way for both families to enjoy their children. Since most schools are closed and a lot of companies give their employees off the day after Thanksgiving, splitting up the weekend can be easy. If one parent has their child on the actual holiday, the other parent can enjoy having their child for the rest of the weekend. Family dinners and holiday traditions can be celebrated a day later without concern over the date on the calendar.

Celebrate together – Another alternative for families to consider is coming together for the Thanksgiving meal. This can be tricky when extended family members are involved; but showing your children that you can still celebrate holidays and special events in their lives with both parents present sends a strong message on the meaning of family.

Establish new traditions – Distance and relationships between family members can hinder holiday gatherings post divorce; but establishing new traditions can bring a new spirit into Thanksgiving. If one parent traditionally cooked a large meal, the family may want to change things up and go out to dinner instead. Perhaps a vacation planned over the Thanksgiving weekend will help new traditions to be embraced by all family members. A positive attitude and cooperation from both parents will allow new traditions to emerge.

Philadelphia Divorce Lawyers at Freedman & Lorry, P.C. Help Divorcing Couples Reach Amicable Child Custody Agreements

If you or someone you know needs help with a family law issue, the Philadelphia divorce lawyers at Freedman & Lorry, P.C. can help. Call us at 888-999-1962 or contact us online to schedule a consultation today. Our experienced team has been helping clients for over 80 years. Our Philadelphia, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and Pinehurst, North Carolina offices serve clients throughout the surrounding areas.