WELLNESS MATTERS able to coordinate holidays over the years . When my children were younger , their father and I would do our best to split the days of Thanksgiving and Christmas . We ’ d switch off in the middle of the day so our children could spend the actual holiday with both parents . I ’ ll admit , that was hard . It was important during that time to practice self-care and give myself some grace . As our kids got older and didn ’ t want to spend their holiday traveling from house to house , we modified our agreement . We now rotate each calendar year .
Like any parent , I miss my children when they ’ re not with me on Thanksgiving or Christmas . However , during those holidays when we don ’ t have any kids at home , my husband and I try to take some time for just us and will plan a trip or weekend away . Over the years , we ’ ve gotten creative with our holidays too . We still celebrate each holiday as a family , even if it ’ s more of a commemoration . For example , we ’ ll plan a pre- or post-Thanksgiving dinner if we weren ’ t together for actual Thanksgiving . Now that our kids are older , I think they appreciate getting
Robin Perrigo-Mermans is a collaborative attorney and certified mediator . She owns
ROAD to RESOLUTION , a divorce mediation and collaborative family law firm , in Charlotte . Due to her unique perspective as an attorney , mother , and stepmother , she is an expert in shared parenting solutions and co-parenting guidance . She is committed to using her personal story and passion to help her clients save time and money , while avoiding unnecessary emotional turmoil during their divorce journey and on their road to resolution .
two turkey feasts with all the fixings . The same goes for Christmas . We ’ ll have a faux celebration before or after Christmas Day if we aren ’ t together on December 25 . Families can do this with any holiday throughout the year . There ’ s an upside to this from a parental perspective too . Once you ’ re done celebrating your early Thanksgiving , Hanukkah , or Christmas , you can relax and enjoy the time leading up to the actual holiday . n
Note : This feature is intended to be informational only and shall not be construed as legal advice .
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