Holidays and Co-Parenting the Kids-Smooth Moves for Minnesota Divorced Parents

Co-parenting around the holidays can take a turn for the worse in some families.  Holidays seem to generate a level of discord that is unmatched for some parents.   A well-thought out parenting plan and parenting schedule can ameliorate some of the possible issues.

When you think about a holiday parenting plan and schedule it helps to imagine all the possible situations that could prompt a dispute; and, then you try to draft a parenting plan that can accommodate those imagined possibilities.  You will never be able to predict every possible scenario, but with some ideas that are “out-of-the-box” you can come pretty close.   It also helps to put yourself in the other parent’s shoes and to ask yourself the following questions:

• Is this a fair way to handle the holidays? is it fair to me? is it fair to the other parent?  is it fair for the kids?
• How can we keep conflict to a minimum? How can we communicate about our disagreements in a civil and polite way?  Would it be better for us to communicate via e-mail or phone or with a web-based family program?
• What are our triggers in disagreements and how can we draft around these triggers?
• How do we handle exceptions to our general parenting plan and schedule?
• Can we keep the kids out of our discussions and how do we do that?
• If we simply cannot agree on an issue down the road what means do we use to help us resolve our dispute before it gets too crazy?

It takes a commitment from both parents to work together to create a co-parenting plan. A well-drafted and thought-out parenting plan and schedule can work for most families even during the high stress of the holiday season.

E-mail me and request a free parenting plan outline to help get you started.

Kate Willmore

Saint Cloud, Minnesota, Family Lawyer & Mediator

(320) 217-6030 or  kaw@katewillmorelaw.com

www.katewillmorelaw.com      www.katewillmoremediation.com      www.katewillmorewillstrusts.com

Copyright 2013