The holidays are supposed to be a joyous time when families can get together and enjoy good food, gift exchanges and general family fun. But for divorced parents, there may be a lot of back-and-forth negotiations when it comes to deciding where the children spend their time. While both parents want to have as much time with the kids as possible, it’s important to consider what’s best for the children. Kids can benefit from stability and structure, which is why it’s usually best to set a custody schedule and stick to it.
Holiday custody negotiations
There are many special events and family parties during the holiday season. It’s understandable that both parents want their children to be able to attend these events. But in most cases, holiday custody schedules are decided ahead of time in court. While this may seem inconvenient, as in most cases the parents will alternate meaningful holidays each year, it creates structure that children can depend on.
In cases where the divorce was amicable, parents may be able to negotiate time for specific holiday events. This can work well in some cases but is not always the best option. Sometimes, flexibility is the key to allowing both parents to spend quality holiday time with the kids. This may mean changing the dates of family events and choosing alternative ways of celebrating the holidays.
The legalities of child custody
Understandably, parents tend to want to be with their kids as much as possible after divorce. But to be fair to the children, custody arrangements divide the time in a manner that’s most beneficial for the kids involved. In many cases, the holiday custody schedule is decided ahead of time during other custody arrangements. Some New Jersey parents may feel comfortable negotiating custody for specific events or days, but it’s always helpful to seek legal advice to understand one’s options when it comes to child custody during the holiday season.