When a marriage ends at what some consider to be the happiest time of year, it can be hard for everyone involved. However, you can survive the holidays and your divorce with a healthy coping strategy and support from the ones you love. The following are some tips for enjoying the holidays while you are going through a divorce.
- Have a plan: Do not wait until the last minute to figure out when and where you will celebrate. Having a plan will give you something to look forward to and keep you from spending the holidays alone.
- Honor your feelings: When everyone around is feeling festive and merry, it may feel a bit self-indulgent to dwell on the sadness of your divorce. It is not. These feelings are normal and need to be acknowledged before you can heal and move forward.
- Listen to the kids: Just as you need to process the emotions of divorce, your children’s feelings are just as valid. It is not easy for kids to adjust to this incredible change in their home life, especially at the holidays. Hear and honor their feelings as the children of divorce.
- Lean on loved ones: Everyone needs support during the difficult times in life. Confide in your friends and family and allow them to comfort you. When you share your fears, they do not seem quite as formidable.
- Do not focus on the stuff: During the holidays, we pay a lot of attention to the gifts and presents we give to each other. Divorce can impact your lifestyle and your budget. Focus on meaningful gestures that do not cost much. A handmade gift or a donation of your time is a great way to show you care without breaking the bank.
- Incorporate some fun: Yes, you can still have fun during divorce. Let yourself be carefree and do what makes you happy.
- Make new traditions: Focusing on the ways you once celebrated the holidays with your ex-spouse is only going to keep you stuck in the past. Incorporate new traditions into your holiday festivities to symbolize this new chapter of your life.
- Include self-care: The holidays are hectic. Between cooking, decorating, shopping, and hosting, it is easy to lose the sentiment of the holidays in all the chaos. Slow down and incorporate some self-care into your holiday schedule. Do whatever helps you relax and decompress. Self-care is crucial for your emotional and physical well-being.
- Be open to joy: If you are going through divorce, do not assume your holidays are going to be sad and lonely. Open yourself up to the peace and contentment that comes from making memories with those you love.
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Eliminate some of the stress that comes with divorce with a fair and enforceable parenting plan. Your parenting plan establishes physical custody arrangements, visitation, and holiday schedules. Having a plan in place now prevents disputes later. Our Baltimore County divorce lawyers at Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC work with you to draft a successful parenting plan that puts your child’s need first, while honoring your rights as a parent. Call 443-589-0150 or contact us online to learn more about why your parenting plan is so important. With locations in Hunt Valley and Towson, Maryland, we serve clients throughout the state.