Many Texas families struggle with balancing the demands of the season. Working out a schedule that accommodates the many parties, dinners and family gatherings can be a challenge, even for a family who all live under the same roof. Factor in the complication of a divorce and child custody arrangement, and the situation can quickly spiral out of control. The following tips are offered in the hopes that families can find a better way to share time with their loved ones during the holiday season.
One of the most important aspects of planning one’s holiday schedule involves having a comprehensive understanding of the child custody agreement that is in place. In some cases, the agreement involves a complex structure of time divided between households. That schedule can also alternate from year to year, making it difficult to stay on top of which parent has the right to have the children within their care on each specific holiday. Take the time to sit down and go over the agreement and make a calendar that outlines where the kids will be throughout the season.
Once the schedule has been created, be sure to check in with the other parent and make sure that everyone is on the same page in regard to holiday scheduling. Doing so can avoid any last-minute confusion or contention, and gives both parents a chance to make adjustments that suit their holiday plans. Some disputes are nothing more than misunderstandings about the custody schedule.
This leads to a related tip, which is to make every effort to accommodate reasonable requests made by the other Texas parent. In most cases, child custody structures can be used as a guideline for parents who are able to communicate well and make concessions when needed. When a change benefits the children, or enhances their experience of the holidays, there is no reason to deny a reasonable alteration to the custody schedule.
Source: The Mercury, Child custody and the holidays: Do’s and Don’ts, Andrew D. Taylor, Nov. 27, 2013