Creating your own holiday traditions after divorce

After a divorce or separation, maintaining past holiday traditions can become very difficult. That realisation can be tough for both parents and children, as it's hard to accept traditions that may have once brought so much joy might have to change.

Although traditions may have to change, co-parents can put the focus on new traditions that will become sources of joy, connection, and family bonding. Children will be better able to enjoy the holidays if parents remain positive about their celebrations and maintain stability throughout the festive months. 

Here are some tips that may help your family get through the holidays without conflict and build lasting traditions your children can look forward to and depend on.

Make your plans early.

Everyone should have clear expectations as to how the holidays will be spent each year. That means making plans and deciding on your holiday parenting time well in advance. Be sure to consult your parenting agreement while making arrangements as well. 

Keep your children informed of the plan as well, and be sure to tell them as soon as possible if plans have to change. Making plans early also requires some flexibility, as unforeseen circumstances can still arise, no matter how meticulously everything was scheduled. 

Rotate holidays or celebrate on alternate dates.

When co-parents determine their holiday parenting time, it's common that rotating holidays is part of the bargain. One year you may have Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, while the next year you may have Christmas Day and New Year's Eve. Work with your co-parent to share holidays in a way that allows both of you to have time with your children on special occasions. 

Even when it isn't your "on" year for a certain holiday, you can still have celebrations with your children. Consider celebrating on alternate dates in those instances. Not only does this ensure you're always getting some one-on-one time with your children for special occasions, but it may also make it easier to involve extended family as well. 

Don't try to recreate holidays exactly as they were.

Life changes after a divorce, and the holidays can go a lot more smoothly if you do not put pressure on yourself to make them look exactly like they did in the past. 

Don't try to recreate the holidays as they were before you and your co-parent split. That doesn't mean you have to abandon your favourite holiday activities! You may just have to fit them into your life in new and different ways. 

It can also help to involve your children in holiday planning. If you're putting the focus on spending quality time with each other, there is less room for disappointment about what the holidays used to look like. 

After a divorce or separation, it can be hard to imagine what your holiday season will look like with your new family structure. While it may be painful to contemplate, do not procrastinate on planning this year's festivities. Last-minute conversations with your co-parent about the holidays are best avoided, as emotions will already be running high. But at the end of the day, be sure to remember that there will always be a learning curve when it comes to adapting to new situations, so do not be too harsh with yourself if you struggle with the holidays this year.