Divorce is one of the most stressful things you can deal with no matter the time of the year but dealing with it during the holidays can make it more stressful. It means more time with family who may or may not agree with your life changes. It means hearing opinions you haven’t asked for and didn’t want. Plus, if you have children, it means splitting their time with your significant other.
So how can you deal with the holidays during a divorce?
Well, first and foremost, you want to take care of yourself. You need to eat well, get exercise, and make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Be gentle with yourself, and if you make a mistake or need to leave your family’s house early, don’t beat yourself up.
Here are some tips on how to deal with the holidays during your divorce:
Plan ahead
If possible, plan activities that will take place during non-peak times of day (like after dinner) so you can avoid crowds and other distractions. Decide how you’re going to talk about your divorce before the topic comes up. Think about what you want to say and how you want to say it always assume your ex is going to hear about what was said later.
Be flexible!
If one plan doesn’t work out as expected (for example, if your child gets sick), try not to get upset or let the unexpected change ruin things for everyone else involved. Instead, see if there’s an alternative activity that might work better at another time or place!
Don’t Be afraid To Say No
If you’re not ready for family gatherings yet, don’t go out of obligation or guilt—just politely decline invites for now and let people know why later if they ask why not this year (which hopefully they won’t).
Don’t Spend it Alone
One of the best ways to cope with the holidays during your divorce is to not spend them alone. If you have children, try to split up your celebrations between both homes and include them in both sides of their holiday traditions. If you don’t have kids, make sure that you find a friend or family member who will be able to help you celebrate without being alone.
Consider Your Child’s Feelings
It’s hard enough for children when they see their parents arguing or fighting, let alone when they see their parents getting divorced! When planning festivities for your children, keep their feelings in mind—they may not understand what is happening, so try not to bring up the subject while they’re around or make them feel like they need to choose sides between their parents.
Instead, focus on creating new traditions together as a family that celebrates something else entirely: maybe snowman-building or baking cookies together? The possibilities are endless when it comes to things you can do with your child.
Take Care of Yourself
Give yourself permission to take care of yourself first. This doesn’t mean putting yourself first over anyone else—it means making sure that you’re taking care of yourself emotionally so that when someone needs support from you, you can be there for them. You may have to say “no” to the things that are most important in your life at the moment (like work or school), but those things will still be there when this is over.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
One of the best ways to deal with the holidays during divorce is by asking for help from friends or family members who will listen to what’s going on in your life and offer support. If there’s someone who has been supportive throughout your relationship with your ex-spouse, they will likely still want to be there for you during this challenging time.
Make Sure Your Children Feel Loved
Make sure that your children feel loved by both parents during this time. This is especially important during the holiday season when there is so much emphasis on family and togetherness. If you’re going through a divorce, it’s important for both of you to spend time with your children and make them feel special.
Divorce and New Beginnings
If this is your first holiday season as a single person, don’t let your emotions get the best of you. It’s reasonable and expected to have some ups and downs during the holiday season after all, you’re still in the grieving process. However, do your best to think about your future and try not to dwell on the past. Think of all the new things you want to try and all the things you have ahead of you.
If you are ending your marriage, its important that your rights and interests as well as those of your family are protected. Seeking the services of an experienced and caring divorce attorney will provide sound advice and guidance to get you through your journey. The divorce and family law firm Rappleye & Rappleye P.C. in Jackson have the knowledge and compassion to help. We are prepared to offer our clients well informed representation on a wide range of issues including legal separation, property division, child custody, spousal support and more. So if you are ready to move on, call for a Free Consultation today!