Warner family law attorney Ric Roane leans into Robert Fulghum’s bestselling book “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” when helping clients navigate divorce and the holidays.
Child psychologists, researchers and many others tell us children need both parents, meaning learning to share time is best for the kids’ well-being, Roane told WGVU Radio. Whether it’s an every-other-year scenario, mom’s home for Christmas Eve and dad’s place for Christmas Day or some other arrangement, any divorce conversation should include a plan for the holidays.
Roane offers other tips for how separated or divorced parents can navigate the holidays:
- Be sensitive to your child’s desires and expectations. While that doesn’t mean the child gets to run the family, it’s important to listen to what kids want to do during their holiday break.
- Co-create a plan for gifts. Roane notes a divorced couple who use a joint bank account for Christmas and birthday gifts, eliminating a situation where one parent is buying more expensive gifts for the kids.
- If it’s not your parenting time, accept an invitation to a friend’s holiday party, get away for the weekend, enjoy a staycation at a local hotel or volunteer at a local food pantry so you’re focusing on other things instead of missing your kids.
Listen to Roane’s full WGVU interview here.
About Warner
By providing discerning and proactive legal advice, Warner Norcross + Judd LLP builds a better partnership with our clients. One of Michigan’s largest law firms, we’re focused on providing the best legal solutions and exceptional client service to organizations throughout the world. Connect with us on wnj.com, LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook.
