Preparing for the Holiday Season: Co-Parenting in Maryland

The holidays are meant to be fun, not stressful. But for so many families, it can be difficult instead. If you are currently going through a divorce, or are co-parenting after a divorce, there are some steps you can take to help ease some of the possible tension. Good communication and careful planning are key, and you always have to keep your child’s best interests in mind. If there is a dispute you can’t resolve, a Maryland family law attorney can help. 

At RPM Law, our Maryland family law attorneys are ready to assist you this coming holiday season. Whether it’s negotiating a resolution to a problem, or filing motions to protect your children’s rights, we are prepared to help you. Give us a call today to see how we can help.  

Why Holiday Planning Matters and How It Can Impact Parenting Arrangements

The holidays can be stressful enough sometimes. What presents you should buy, what food to bring to the office potluck, and how do you co-parent with your former spouse? The last one is likely the most stressful in your life right now. However, courts will focus on the best interests of the children in any dispute, so it is best to have a good holiday plan in place. 

A well-structured holiday plan:

• Reduces stress
• Limit conflict between parents
• Provides children with stability
• Gives everyone predictability
• Ensures compliance with court-ordered custody schedules
• Allows families to create meaningful traditions without last-minute disagreements

Time for a Review: Look Over Your Existing Court Orders

Look at your current court orders and what they say about the upcoming holiday season. You may have the answers you need right there in the court orders. Look for information such as:

• Who has which holiday?
• Is the holiday split?
• Do you have any fixed traditions that are the same every year?
• Does the order let you change it if you both agree?
• If the order says nothing about holidays, when does each holiday fall in your ordinary visitation schedule?

Knowing the answers to these questions ahead of time can help. 

Communicating with the Other Co-Parent

Communicating kindly and appropriately with the other parent makes a big difference. To help, follow these tips:

• Plan early and don’t procrastinate
• Have extra patience
• Use written communications or parenting apps
• Stay focused on the kids and making the holidays enjoyable for them
• Be flexible, as the holidays can be unpredictable
• Be willing to negotiate

Focus on the Kids, Not the Parents

When you have a dispute or even just a questions, always frame it through what is best for the kids. This is what Maryland law focuses on, so you should too when you can’t agree. Your traditions are important to you, but as life changes so must those traditions. Ideas that can help might include:

• Hosting separate celebrations 
• Talk about gifts you’re each buying to avoid gifting the same things
• Encouraging the kids to go to extended family events as well
• Preserving familiar traditions whenever possible
• Consider a joint holiday celebration with both parents, if you and your co-parent get along well

Practical Tips for Co-Parenting During the Holidays in Maryland

There is more to it than just complying with parenting orders and hoping it all works out. Some other practical steps that can help you include:

• Sharing travel details
• Coordinating vacations
• Talking about budgets you’ll each spend on gifts
• Avoid competition with the other parent, whether through gifts or extravagant plans
• Respect boundaries placed by the other parent
• Avoid negative comments about the other co-parent
• Focus on the children and the memories they are forming

Sometimes, practical tips and the best intentions aren’t enough. The reality is, not every co-parent will be as reasonable as you. If you need legal assistance, contact a dedicated Maryland divorce attorney for guidance. 

Get Ready for the Holidays and Co-Parenting in Maryland

A cooperative approach and communication with the other co-parent can go a long way in resolving any potential differences. Knowing some practical tips and your legal rights can help you balance what you face and protect your kids along the way. Either way, an experienced attorney is ready to help if you need it. 

Our team at RPM Law is highly experienced and ready to help with co-parenting issues in Maryland. Contact us today for a consultation.