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Helping Colorado families navigate child custody for the holidays

By Tolison & Williams / December 10, 2013

The end of each year brings happiness to many people. For most, it means a time to be with loved ones and celebrate the season. For some Colorado families, it can be a difficult time of year. This is because some parents must contend with a child custody agreement that they hold with a former spouse or partner. A recent article outlined a few tips for parents who find themselves in such a situation.

Initially, officials recommend that parents study their custody order prior to the holiday season. Many families switch back and forth with holidays every year, but some custody agreements will outline other provisions. It is very important, under all circumstances, that parents keep the lines of communication open to avoid confusion or hurt feelings. If a family doesn't have a custody arrangement, or if the one they have doesn't outline a schedule for holidays, the parents will need to compromise with one another.

When considering children directly, experts want to reassure parents that it is actually helpful to discuss the visitation schedule with them. They will appreciate knowing ahead of time what is planned. Sometimes this might mean having a holiday celebration on a different day if a parent cannot be with them. The parent may even decide to start a new tradition with their children based on their own special holiday, after the actual celebratory day has occurred. However, it is of the utmost importance that parents do not shift their anxiety onto their children and, instead, work things out between themselves.

When a family has a child custody agreement to manage, it can cause added pressure during the holiday season. Many parents just want to ensure their children are happy, but sometimes this can be difficult when contending with divorce or separation. Parents who find themselves in such circumstances may benefit from speaking to an attorney to determine what will be in the best interest of everyone involved. In Colorado, this might mean reviewing visitation and custody agreements. Doing so ahead of time will help ensure that the children involved can enjoy themselves with both parents.

Source: pottsmerc.com, Child custody and the holidays: Do's and Don'ts, Andrew D. Taylor, Nov. 27, 2013

Tags: Divorce Child Custody

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