Christmas holidays can be a particularly stressful time for
newly separated parents attempting to create normalcy for their children around
the holidays. Often, parents are faced with having to determine between them how
to divide previously shared special days and moments, without either parent
feeling left out or the children being forced to choose between spending time
with one parent over another.
We at the MacLean Family Law Group wanted to share some of
the successful strategies utilized by our clients in the past during this time
of year that we have been told worked for newly separated parents and their children
1. Using
webcam technology. By having one parent attend Christmas morning events via
webcam, both parents are given the opportunity to participate in the Child’s
Christmas activities. This was particularly helpful for those children still in
the wonderment of ‘Santa Claus’ stage.
2. Providing
a video-tape record of the Child’s Christmas at each parent’s home where webcam
is not available, so that each parent gets to share in the Child’s experiences
at the other parent’s home.
3. Creating
a neutral 3rd party site for Christmas morning such as a
grandparent’s home, where all parties could attend and no one would be
excluded.
4. Having
the access exchange at the holiday time done by a holiday character, such as
Santa Claus or a North Pole Elf. This takes the pressure off of the access
exchange keeping the Child distracted and entertained.
5. Taking
a family holiday where the parents stayed at different hotels and the Children
were able to spend time with each parent over the holiday season in a different
setting which took away the emphasis on ‘Christm
Day’.
Some other links that we found on the web which also provide
some great information and holiday tips for single parents:
www.singleparents.about.com
(Top 8 Holiday Gifts for Single Parents)
www.babyworld.co.uk/christmas/single_at_christmas.asp