The Easter holidays should be a time for families to celebrate. However, if you’re co-parenting, the holidays can be stressful. But this doesn’t need to be the case. Proper planning can make this Easter holiday fun and stress-free for all parties.
Here are some tips to help your family enjoy this holiday season.
Key takeaways
- Communicating appropriately is crucial to effective planning.
- Start communication early and be willing to compromise.
- Your children’s best interests are paramount.
- The Easter break can extend into the school holidays.
- You can split the holiday, alternate annually or have joint celebrations.
- Consider making new traditions.
- Keep your children’s mental health in mind and any cultural considerations.
- Think about the role of extended family in your plans.
1. Communication
Constructive communication is crucial to organising co-parenting arrangements. Here are some tips for approaching the issue appropriately.
Start Discussions Early
Talk to your former partner about co-parenting plans well before The Easter holiday. Both parents will have enough time to consider their options and anticipate any problems. It will then be easier to agree on plans and implement them effectively.
Prioritise the Children’s Needs
Discussions about holiday plans should revolve around what’s best for your children. Consider how your holiday plans will affect their emotional well-being and if they align with their interests. Depending on their age and maturity, you could solicit their opinion about what would work best for them.
Consider the Entire Holiday Period
Easter weekend often coincides with the Australian school holidays. In these situations, it might be better to make plans for the entire holiday rather than just Easter. This way, you and your ex-spouse can maximise your time with your children.
Be Open to Compromise
Both parties need to be willing to compromise to reach a solution. Consider your ex-spouse’s perspective and wishes. Be flexible in your decision-making and open to changes in plans.
2. Making Plans
There are various ways you can organise family time over the holidays. Here are some options.
Split the Holiday
Depending on where you and your former spouse live, you may be able to split visitation during the holidays. One parent might take the children on Good Friday and Easter Saturday. The other parent can then take the children on Easter Sunday and Monday. This may only be possible if parents live close enough to each other.
Joint Celebrations
If you’re on civil terms with your ex-spouse, you may consider having a joint celebration. You could hold an event like an Easter egg hunt or a casual lunch. Your child could benefit from having both parents present simultaneously to reduce the sense of separation.
Alternate Yearly
When dividing the holiday isn’t possible, you could alternate spending Easter with the children year by year. This may not be ideal as parents want to spend all special occasions with their children. However, it may be the best middle ground when travel is a significant issue.
Special Traditions
You may have existing traditions you observe each year at Easter. For example, you may attend a church service or an Easter-themed event. You can always create one if you don’t have a set tradition. Consider what you and your children would enjoy together to make the Easter holiday memorable.
Check our blog about best practices when writing a parenting plan for more information.
3. Added considerations
There’s much that goes into planning for the Easter break. Here are further considerations to ensure the period is smooth and enjoyable.
Cultural sensitivity
Co-parents may come from diverse cultural backgrounds. Easter is an opportunity to explore and share each parent’s culture with their children. This can enrich your children’s experience of the holidays and connect them to their shared heritage.
Mental health considerations
The holiday season can be emotionally straining, especially for separated families. When making plans, consider how they will impact children. For example, excessive travelling can cause stress for children.
Extended family involvement
Easter is about the whole family. Including extended family in celebrations can enhance a child’s holiday experience. Think about how you can connect with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins this Easter.
Conclusion
Easter is supposed to be a time for family and happiness. For some families, it can be a challenging and emotionally draining experience. If you’re a co-parent, planning for the holidays is crucial. Proper communication is critical in establishing effective plans.
There are various ways to approach the holidays, but your children’s best interests should be the top priority. If you need help with family law matters, contact us for a free discovery call.
