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5 Holiday Tradition Tips for Your Unique Family
The holiday season can be a special time for your family — no matter which holidays you celebrate and the activities that you plan. However, the season can also bring its fair share of challenges for parents who are newly separated, divorced, sharing custody, or for parents who have just welcomed a new child into their family.
Here are some tips to help keep this holiday season merry and bright for your and the kids:
1. Talk about opening gifts.
There’s nothing like the feeling of waking up on Christmas morning and spending time with your loved ones. If you’re separated from your child’s co-parent, you should decide if the kids will open gifts with both parents or at separate homes.
If the gift-giving will be done separately, talk to your little ones about Santa visiting both homes, and schedule times or days for this to happen. This is also a great time to discuss how you will navigate buying gifts and which parent will buy what.
2. Focus on activities other than gift-giving.
Legal fees around the holidays can add extra stress — whether that’s from an adoption or a divorce. Though you may be focused on buying the perfect gift for your mini-me, don’t make this the main point of conversation. Remember, gift-giving isn’t the point of the holiday season — creating happy, long-lasting memories is what counts. Try these fun options:
- Hold a sand snowman contest.
- Create a holiday-themed talent show.
- Donate to those in need.
- Holiday-themed game and movie nights.
- Go caroling.
- Holiday arts and crafts.
- Cooking or baking.
- Putting holiday decorations.
3. Spread activities across the season.
Holiday joy extends further than just the day of the holidays — so why not find new traditions to sprinkle throughout the month? This can be especially helpful for parents who are worried about fitting all the holiday fun in on one day when they’re living apart.
4. Expand on something you already do.
Sometimes, a new tradition doesn’t mean going back to the drawing board. Maybe it just means making two types of cookies instead of one, or spending more time doing crafts! If there’s something your little one loves doing, why not do more of it?
This way, your traditions still feel familiar, even if how you do them is different.
5. Ask your children what they want to do.
Lastly, whether your children are adjusting to two households or you’ve just finalized your adoption — involve your children in the tradition-making. Planning new holiday activities can confuse children if it feels unfamiliar. Ask them what activities sound fun and how they want to spend their holiday. If you’ve just adopted a child, asking them about any traditions they’re used to can help make this period of adjustment easier for them.
Holiday Custody & Adoption Help
We hope you thoroughly enjoy the holiday season with your loved ones — but if you need help — our team is here to help!
Contact our team today by calling (808) 201-3898 or visiting us online. Wishing you a happy holiday season from our team at Smith & Sturdivant, LLLC!