Kiddipedia
Celebrating Christmas across two homes can be challenging, but with early preparation and open communication, it can become a joyful and low-free experience for everyone. Here are some crucial steps to ensure a smooth holiday season.
Start with Your Parenting Agreement
Parenting Agreements and Orders are often drafted and signed under high-pressure situations, making them susceptible to unclear terms. If you have one, take the time now to review it in detail.
Pay close attention to handover times for Christmas, New Year, and other significant occasions. Once you’ve noted these, add them to your shared co-parenting calendar.
Double-Check with a Trusted Friend
Before discussing any unclear points with your co-parent, ask a trusted friend to review the Agreement or Orders. This can help ensure clarity and avoid unnecessary conflicts, especially if you and your co-parent interpret things differently.
No Agreement? Start the Conversation Early
If you don’t have a Parenting Agreement or Orders, or any details are unclear, initiate a conversation with your co-parent as soon as possible.
Share Your Interpretation
Be transparent about how you interpret any existing arrangements and ask for confirmation. Set a reasonable deadline for your co-parent to respond—within a week is generally acceptable for verifying existing details.
Get Advice
If you’re starting from scratch, consult with a friend, your co-parenting coach, or legal counsel about the appropriateness of your proposed plan. Once you’ve done that, send your proposal to your co-parent, ensuring it’s worded as a suggestion, not a direction.
Allow Time for Response
Let your co-parent know when you would like to hear back from them. If they weren’t expecting this discussion, be considerate and give them a couple of weeks to check their work leave entitlements and family arrangements. Remember to stay flexible—they will have key aspects of the holiday season that are important to them, too.
Resolve Conflict
Avoid letting conflict brew and escalate. The closer it gets to Christmas, the more stressful it will be for all of you. The further things escalate, the harder it can be to bring them to a successful resolution. However, this doesn’t mean you need to involve a mediator. Using a Co-Parenting Coach can help the two of you identify what is most important to each of you and your children, facilitating a conversation that leads to a rapid solution both you and your co-parent are happy with.
Setting the Stage for Success
Preparing for Christmas across two homes may seem daunting, but early planning and open communication can make a world of difference. Whether you’re working with a Parenting Agreement or starting from scratch, the key is to be proactive, clear, and collaborative.
Tiffany Rochester is a Clinical Psychologist and Co-Parenting Coach who specialises in helping separated families create healthy, harmonious two-home families for their children. With over 20 years of experience in child development and human behaviour, Tiffany is passionate about simplifying the co-parenting process, ensuring that children can thrive as their family changes.
Recognising the emotional and financial toll of adversarial legal systems, Tiffany is committed to guiding parents towards collaborative and compassionate solutions. Her approach offers swift relief and opens new pathways for families to move forward, free from the constraints of traditional, litigious processes.
https://coparentingcompanion.au/
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