The first thing you have to do is commit to keeping the best interest of your children in mind throughout the holiday season. Make it about them, not about you. Don’t try to make them or others feel bad for you because you are sad and going through a rough patch, act like a grown up and put a smile on for your kids.

Your kids have probably been looking forward to their winter vacation for the last several weeks, so don’t ruin that for them because you are angry at their mother or father. Do your best to forget about the divorce and act as if nothing was wrong, especially on the big days like Christmas and New Years. If you have a certain routine on Christmas morning, for example, stick to that routine, even though things might be a little different this year.

Additionally, make new traditions and memories with your children so that despite the change they will have something to look forward to each and every year. Whether it is opening the present on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day in order to accommodate to a new holiday schedule, work with your kids to come up with a new plan that you will stick to from this year forward.

Divorce is tough and we know that during the holidays it is even tougher, but do your best to keep the holiday spirit in mind and do your best to be thankful for what you do have, your children. Always keep their best interest in mind and do everything in your power to make their holiday season a happy one, even if you are feeling sad.

Our Western PA Divorce Lawyers hope that some of this advice will be useful to you during these holidays. We wish you and yours a very happy holiday season.