Executive Summary:
The holidays can be filled with warmth, family traditions, and lasting memories, but if you’re co-parenting after divorce, they can also bring unique challenges. From navigating scheduling conflicts to managing emotions and expectations, having a clear co-parenting plan in place can help make this season more peaceful for everyone. In this blog, we’ll walk you through a thoughtful approach to holiday co-parenting that focuses on what matters most: creating meaningful experiences for your children in Denver or Colorado Springs.
Why a Holiday Game Plan Matters for Co-Parents
For co-parents, the holidays can feel overwhelming. Between school breaks, family gatherings, travel, and gift exchanges, the schedule can fill up fast. Without a clear plan, it’s easy for misunderstandings to pop up and create unnecessary conflict.
Creating a holiday co-parenting game plan is about more than managing logistics. It’s about giving your kids a sense of stability during a season that’s already full of change. Even if this isn’t your first holiday season as co-parents in Denver or Colorado Springs, taking time to connect now can make the months ahead far less stressful. Before the season is in full swing, here are some key steps to keep in mind to reduce stress and avoid last-minute surprises.
1. Start the Conversation Early and Review Your Plan
Once fall arrives, the weeks have a way of slipping by. That’s why it’s smart to check in with your co-parent well before the holiday rush. Waiting until the last minute often means scrambling to make plans, which can create tension for everyone.
As part of this early conversation, review your parenting plan, especially the holiday schedule. Many Colorado plans alternate holidays or split them between parents, but life changes. Kids get older, school calendars shift, and family traditions evolve. If the current plan doesn’t reflect your reality, this is the time to talk through modifications.
Consider discussing:
- Which holidays each parent will spend with the children
- Exchange times and locations
- Travel arrangements or extended family visits
- Any traditions or events your children want to participate in
- Childcare coverage for longer school breaks
Getting these details settled early not only helps you prepare but also reassures your children that their holidays will be organized and enjoyable, whether they’re in Denver, Colorado Springs, or traveling elsewhere.
2. Prioritize the Experience Over the Date
When you’re co-parenting, it’s easy to get attached to the idea of having your children for the “actual” holiday. But for kids, the magic of the season isn’t tied to a date on the calendar; it’s tied to how the day feels. If you don’t have them on the official holiday this year, create your own version. Maybe it’s a “second Thanksgiving” the weekend after, or a “New Year’s Eve Eve” sleepover with hot chocolate and board games. What matters most is showing your children that the holidays are about connection, not competition.
3. Make Room for New Family Traditions
That same mindset of focusing on joy over timing opens the door to new traditions. Divorce often changes how families celebrate, and trying to recreate the past can be stressful for both you and your children. Instead, use this as an opportunity to start something fresh, such as:
- Baking cookies, pies, or even trying a new holiday recipe together
- Hosting a movie marathon with seasonal favorites or family classics
- Writing cards or letters to loved ones near and far
- Creating a craft or ornament each year to mark the holiday
Invite your children to share their own ideas. Including them in the process makes these traditions feel special and truly theirs, whether you’re celebrating at home in Denver, enjoying a snowy weekend in Colorado Springs, or traveling to see extended family.
4. Stay Flexible, But Set Healthy Boundaries
Even with the best planning, the holidays have a way of throwing curveballs, bad weather, illness, or last-minute changes in plans. While it’s important to be adaptable, flexibility shouldn’t mean sacrificing your boundaries or allowing one parent to control the schedule.
If changes are needed:
- Keep the conversation respectful
- Agree to adjustments in writing
- Make sure decisions are centered on your child’s well-being
5. Support Your Child’s Emotions Along the Way
Even if you and your co-parent are on the same page, remember that the holidays can still stir up a lot of feelings for your children. They might miss the way things used to be or feel torn about enjoying time with one parent while being apart from the other. Give them space to talk about their feelings without judgment. Reassure them that it’s okay to love both parents and to enjoy celebrations in different ways.
If your child shows signs of sadness or anxiety, consider reaching out to a child counselor or therapist in Denver or Colorado Springs who understands the challenges of divorce and co-parenting in Colorado.
Make This Holiday Season a Win for Your Whole Family
The holidays may look different after divorce, but they can still be filled with joy, connection, and lasting memories. With a solid co-parenting plan and clear communication, you can turn a stressful season into one your children will truly enjoy.
If your parenting plan needs adjustments or conflict is making the holidays harder, Colorado Legal Group can help. Our experienced family law attorneys in Denver and Colorado Springs will work with you to enforce or modify your agreement so you and your children can move forward with confidence.
Contact us today to create a holiday co-parenting strategy that works both this year and for years to come.