Holiday Parenting Plans: Reducing Stress, Transitions, and Conflict
The holidays can be an especially stressful time for divorcing or divorced parents. Changes in routines, travel plans, and family traditions can bring up new challenges that co-parents, especially new co-parents, can struggle to navigate.
With thoughtful planning and the right safeguards in place, parents can minimize conflict and create a peaceful holiday experience for all involved.
Reducing Transitions
Predictability and stability are critical for children. During the holidays, children often face extra back-and-forth transitions over a short time, causing extra stress during an already emotionally difficult time.
To reduce stress:
Consider longer blocks of parenting time rather than alternating days
Align transitions with natural breaks, such as the end of school or the start of a holiday weekend
Limit travel-heavy exchanges, especially for younger children
Fewer transitions mean less stress for kids and less conflict for parents, benefiting everyone.
Planning Ahead for Holiday Travel
Holiday travel is one of the most challenging parts of navigating the holidays post-divorce. Whether you’re crossing state lines or flying out of the country, travel plans should be clearly addressed in your parenting plan. Include any requirements for notice before traveling, sharing itineraries and contact information, and procuring passports and international travel consent.
By sorting out these details before the holidays, you can take some of the stress out of holiday travel.
Safeguard Language for When Parents Disagree
Even the most cooperative co-parents will sometimes disagree, especially when it comes to holiday adjustments. This is where safeguard language comes in. Safeguard language in your parenting plan will help you to navigate inevitable disagreements by setting agreed-upon rules before disagreements arise.
This language can outline how you’ll request minor holiday modifications, response timelines, and how to break ties (such as with a parenting coordinator, mediator, or decision-maker). This can prevent small disagreements from escalating when emotions are already running high.
Flexibility With Structure
A strong parenting plan is flexible and clear, allowing families to adapt when necessary while providing clear guidance if co-parents disagree. By factoring the holidays into your parenting plan, you can prevent stress, confusion, and conflict during a joyous time of the year.
If you’re entering a divorce or finding that your current parenting plan isn’t working during the holidays, our team at Thrive Family Law can help you put practical solutions and safeguards in place. With the right support, you and your family can focus on what matters most: spending precious time together.
