Establishing new holiday traditions after divorce can be tricky. You have to find ways to honor old traditions, create exciting and new ones, and be flexible in when and how you do them. The holidays are tough, especially for children of divorce. It always seems that someone gets the short end of the stick— whether be one of the parents, or the child. So, what can you do to prevent this? The truth is, there’s no easy answer. Discovering what works for you and your newly divided family is no easy task. So, we’ve devised a quick list of some things to do, and things to avoid, as you prepare these new blended family traditions.
Establishing New Holiday Traditions: Making the Most of Changing Times
A blended family is defined as a family comprised of both sides of the previous marriage. Take Dad, for example, and his new girlfriend or wife and her children. Then mom, has her husband and their children. So, in short, a blended family is a mix of all avenues of the divorced family. Creating new traditions can be a way of helping the family reintegrate and helping the child remain adjusted.
Tip 1: Keep it simple
Remember that traditions don’t have to be big and grand. They can be something as simple as the same tablecloth every birthday, or the same tree topper at both houses. Traditions are what you make them, and usually the smaller the tradition— the more meaningful. It’s the remembrances that make the difference. Especially as you and your children adjust to the changes that come along with divorced, and blended, families.
Tip 2: Honor traditions old and new
Having rituals and traditions that you can honor, while also creating ones unique to your changing family helps harbor that excitement your children most likely associate with the holidays. Finding ways to blend those former happy times into a promise of new ones is a great way to provide a united front while also establishing things unique to each household that you can both enjoy. Use the holidays as an opportunity to feel out co-parenting is fantastic. This is ‘the most wonderful time of the year’, especially for children. So, making the most of that in any way you can— is always a good idea.
Tip 3: Be flexible
Remember that the holiday season and cheer should not be allocated to one, single day. Dad has Christmas this year? Extend the season!!! Who says you have to do Christmas when other people do? Maybe you have to celebrate on the 28th this year— the key is being unselfish, understanding, and going with the flow of things. Times are changing, use this as your chance for establishing new holiday traditions just for yourself!