Christmas and Divorce for Kids
Practical Ways to Enjoy a Divorced Family Christmas
These suggestions for a divorced family Christmas will help give the gift of love and harmony. Christmas and divorce for kids can be peaceful, not painful.
Thoughts of Christmas and divorce many not immediately stir feelings of peace and joy, but a divorced family Christmas doesn’t have to be difficult. These practical suggestions for Christmas and divorce for kids can help bring peace and harmony.
The following tips are geared toward families newly divorced at Christmas, but they can ease tensions for families who have spent many divorced family Christmases together (or apart).
Christmas and Divorce for Kids: Christmas Traditions for Divorced Children
- Ask your kids what Christmas traditions they want to keep. They may be attached to old family rituals – or the traditions may be too painful for your kids. Consider creating new Christmas family traditions. Listen to your kids; they may know how to make a divorced family Christmas joyful and harmonious.
- Consider spending Christmas somewhere else. If you have always spent it at your parents’ place but think it may be too painful this year, consider going to a close friend's for Christmas. Diverting attention away from the divorced family Christmas idea may ease children’s anxieties.
- Find inexpensive ways to enjoy the holidays. Money could be tight after a divorce. Enjoy simple pleasures, such as hot chocolate after a snowball fight or watching classic Christmas movies together. Don’t make up for your feelings of guilt or sadness with expensive gifts. Christmas and divorce for kids isn’t about buying lots of stuff.
Christmas and Divorce for Kids: Christmas Gifts for Divorced Children
- Speak positively or not at all about your ex-spouse. This may be the best gift of all at a divorced family Christmas. Remember the joys and good times of past Christmases; celebrate the positive characteristics of your ex-partner.
- Help with gifts for the “other side.” Support your kids as they make or buy Christmas gifts for your ex-partner, the kids’ grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. You may not be thrilled with giving gifts, but a peaceful divorced family Christmas means putting your children’s feelings first.
- Give gifts that make both households feel like home. Help divorced kids by giving fun and practical gifts, such as funky comforters or art supplies. Even if they have one set, they may want to have a second set at their other home. Children of divorced families often spend a lot of time traveling back and forth; making both homes comfortable is important.
Christmas and Divorce for Kids: Take Care of Yourself
- Keep yourself healthy. A divorced family Christmas isn’t just hard on divorced kids – it can be as or more difficult for parents. Make sure you reduce stress, get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and limit your alcohol intake. Treat yourself well with massages, bubble baths, pedicures, etc. The happier and healthier you are, the better off your kids will be. Here's how to stay healthy at Christmas.
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The copyright of the article Christmas and Divorce for Kids in Developmental Psychology is owned by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen. Permission to republish Christmas and Divorce for Kids must be granted by the author in writing.
