The holidays are meant to be a time of happiness where you enjoy the company of your family and loved ones. However, this time of year can be difficult for families who have gone through a divorce or custody battle.

Parents don’t always see eye to eye when it comes to how their children spend the holidays, and this could lead to arguments and resentment. To avoid any uncomfortable exchanges and allow your family to have a happy holidays, follow these five holiday tips for parents splitting custody.

• Plan Your Child’s Holiday Schedule

Form FL-34(C) is a great way to arrange holiday parenting schedules with your child’s other parent. This legal document is essentially a schedule to follow during most major holidays and school breaks. Parents can choose where they want their child to be during those times.

Work with your child’s other parent to fill out this document and have your family law attorney present it to the court. The court could then sign off on the plan or explain why it is not a viable option.

• Remember Your Parenting Plan

If you went through a divorce or custody battle, you likely have a parenting plan in place that you agreed to with the child’s other parent or was ordered by the court. Although the holidays can create a hectic schedule for everyone, it is important that you do not let that interfere with your parenting plan.

Continue to adhere to scheduled pick up times, visitation time and how other decisions are made for your child. Diverting too much from your established plan could lead to problems for your child and legal issues for you.

• Get a Mediator

If you and your child’s other parent are having issues coming to an agreement regarding your child’s holiday schedule, you may want to meet with a private mediator.

Mediators will listen to both of you and help you devise a plan that is best for your family.

• Be Flexible

Your child’s extra time off school and your own holiday plans may cause some changes to your daily parenting plan. Remember to be flexible and put your child’s needs before your own, especially during the holiday season. This will make sure the child isn’t affected by the change in schedule.

• Your Child’s Feelings Matter

For your children, the holidays are one of the most exciting times of the year. It’s understandable that you want to spend these fun moments with your child, creating memories that will last a lifetime. However, you need to remember that your child’s feelings matter.

Think about your child’s wants and needs when developing a holiday schedule for your child and don’t let any arguments or selfishness influence your child.

Contact the Family Law Attorneys at Wallin & Klarich

If you are having trouble agreeing to a holiday schedule for your child with your child’s other parent, you may force the family law court to create a schedule for you. If this happens, you will need an experienced family law attorney to help represent you in court. Our skilled and knowledgeable family law attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have been successfully representing our clients in family law cases for more than 35 years. We can help you now.

With offices in Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, San Diego, West Covina, Torrance and Victorville, you can find a dedicated Wallin & Klarich family law attorney near you wherever you work or live.

Call us at (888) 749-7428 for a free phone consultation. We will be there when you call.