The holidays can be a stressful time for divorced couples and their families. This is because, as a mother or father, the last thing you want is to spend every second with your kids. Thankfully, with the help of a divorce lawyer, you can create a co-parenting plan that works for everyone involved. Read along to discover four strategies your divorce lawyer will apply when crafting your holiday co-parenting plan. 

Make Sure Everyone Is on the Same Page

When it comes to co-parenting, communication is key. That is why before the holiday season starts, your attorney will ensure you and your co-parent are on the same page regarding visitation schedules, gift exchanges, and family gatherings.

In case of disagreements, the attorney can help ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities. This way, you can kickstart the festive season with the knowledge that there won't be any confusion or misunderstanding. 

Set Ground Rules

You should also talk about what type of behavior is acceptable during this time and establish ground rules for everyone in the family to follow. For instance, you can ask your co-parent not to discuss sensitive topics around the kids, such as finances or your past relationship. What's more, the attorney will ensure both of you respect each other's parenting styles rather than making fun of it in front of the kids.  

Establish a Flexible Visitation Schedule

One of the most important parts of creating an effective co-parenting plan is establishing a flexible visitation schedule. Talk to your divorce attorney about what schedule makes sense, given your family's circumstances.

Outlining who will have custody on which days or if there will be any overnight visits over Thanksgiving or Christmas break will ease your anxiety. This way, you can look forward to your holiday plans without worrying about scheduling conflicts. 

Decide How Gifts Will Be Handled

Another important part of co-parenting is dealing with gifts during the holiday season. As such, you should talk with your lawyer about your expectations on gifting. This way, you won't end up with a scenario where one parent wants to buy something for their child, but the other does not want them to receive it. This way, the kids' feelings won't get hurt due to the parents' disagreements.

Even though you and your spouse are divorced, you're still co-parents and should establish a co-parenting plan before the festive season begins. By working closely with a qualified divorce lawyer who understands both parties' best interests, you can develop strategies for tackling visitation schedules and family gatherings — all while maintaining respect within each household!

Call a divorce lawyer for more advice.