3 co-parenting tips to help you get through the holidays

Co-parenting sounds hard, but it gets easier as the years go on. Singer-songwriter Alicia Keys recently spoke about her experiences co-parenting with her ex and his new wife, and she spoke highly of the situation they have reached.

No matter how easy the co-parenting plan between you and your ex seems, it will likely get tougher at the end of the year during the holidays. Whether your family celebrates Christmas, Hanukkah or something else, the holidays can be rough for a recently divorced couple. Since the holiday season is right around the corner, it is vital to prepare accordingly.

1. Create a plan well in advance

It is critical to have a detailed plan in place that both you and your former spouse agree on. Write everything down on paper, and make copies for everyone involved so there is no confusion. This plan can include details about which parent the kids will spend time with on which days. Do not make any last-minute changes to this plan because this will only create more stress during an already stressful time.

2. Do not allow your ex to push your buttons

The divorce may not have been too amicable, and if it was recent, the wounds may still be fresh, which means your ex may try to push your buttons. The best advice here is to not let it get to you. You do not have to respond to these efforts, and over time, trying to push your buttons will become boring to the other parent.

3. Make this time about the kids

Above all else, you want to ensure your children have a great holiday season. You do not want the kids to view this time of year as one of stress and hardship. Even if you and your spouse tend to still argue, you should avoid doing so when you both need to be in front of the kids.