Although Christmas is known to be the merriest time of year, the holidays can be difficult for kids with divorced parents. While most kids are filled with joy and excitement, kids with divorced parents can range from a moderate haze to outright hate, depending on the amount of hostility between the parents. From fighting over which parent gets the kids for the entire Christmas festivities, Christmas Eve with one and Christmas Day with the other, or even splitting the day in half with each parent, Christmas can really put stress on children. It all depends on how mature and how flexible the parents are. However, there are actions that divorced parents can take by peacefully, easing the worries of their children, and continue to have a happy holiday.

For one, let the children have a voice in the holiday plans. Recognize their favorite traditions and let them choose what is most comfortable for them. An anonymous student said, “On Christmas Eve my dad’s side of the family usually has a tradition where we all get together and eat a big meal. So I’m usually with him on Christmas Eve and then with my mom on Christmas Day.” While another student said that his parents were not very flexible and would just switch off every other year during the Christmas festivities. During the holidays, if the children have a say in the plans or an idea of what to expect, it lets them feel at ease with all of the family changes.
However, the most important thing for divorced parents to remember is that this is about the children, and parents should do what makes the kids feel as comfortable as possible. Even if that means they will not be able to see their child over the holidays, they should still encourage them to have a fun time celebrating with the other parent. They need to learn to embrace the most happiest time of year and let go of all he bottled up anger and be thankful for what they  have.

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