Holidays can be brutal for the children of divorced parents. Kids often feel incomplete. If the children spend most of the time with you and your partner, they will no doubt feel torn about not being with poor Mom or Dad. Try to respect the fact the kids are thinking of their other biological parent and their nostalgia for the past is not a direct shot at you.
The holidays are upon us and it’s a time to have festive parties, family gatherings and tons of food and merriment. However, sometimes you feel overwhelmed and stressed during the holidays, resulting in feelings of sadness, anxiety and even depression. There are many reasons why this happens. First and foremost is that you may just be exhausted from all the planning, preparing, and family tension that sometimes increase during this time of year.
One of the toughest transitions for children of divorce is coping with the first holiday season. As parents our challenge is to create new traditions and activities that can replace the memories of family holidays in the past. Here are some suggestions for helping your children keep the best spirits through the holiday season.