How to Build New Family Traditions after Divorce
Having traditions within a family unit is a way to form those core memories that children will look back on even when they’re adults.
When divorce enters the picture, this is something that can completely disrupt those traditions that were once so important. While certain traditions may not be able to continue, there are ways that you can build new family traditions that will still bring plenty of joy to your family whether it be during the holidays or the day-to-day routine that you all share together.
Ways to Build New Family Traditions after Divorce
We’ve compiled a list of four, great ideas for newly divorced couples with families to create new traditions in the next chapter of their lives and the lives of their kids.
Working Together as Co-Parents
Divorce is a separation between a couple, but this division will also affect any children involved. It’s imperative that parents can work together to raise their children even when divorce is the reality.
Show your children that you can all still spend time together for things like birthdays, school events, and holidays. Your children will grow up appreciating that mom and dad could be together in the same place for the sake of keeping up with traditions and celebrations.
Take Children’s Feeling Into Account During the Holidays
A lot of family traditions take place during the holidays. While there may be a custody agreement in place, you’ll want to discuss with your children how they feel about the schedule.
Things like putting up the Christmas tree, decorating cookies, watching fireworks on the fourth of July, and going on an Easter egg hunt can all be flexibly scheduled so that both parents can have traditions with the children.
Some traditions may even be duplicated at both households. Hopefully, there are things that everyone can do together as well. Validate your children’s feelings, so they know that it’s ok to feel a certain way during this transition and in this situation.
Plan a Vacation
A yearly vacation is a wonderful tradition to start with your family. You may want to travel to the same location each year, or maybe you’ll all discuss where you should go that year.
It gives everyone something to look forward to, and this is a great time to reconnect with one another amidst all the hustle and bustle of work, school, and activities.
Acknowledge That Things Will Be Different
It doesn’t serve any purpose to pretend that life will go on in the same way it did before the divorce. Things are going to change dramatically, and it’s important that everyone involved understands that.
However, this is the opportunity to make new plans and set new traditions that can be followed moving forward. It helps to ensure that everyone knows what to expect in regard to where the kids will be on certain days and what will be taking place.
If there’s a little bit of anxiety or apprehension about changing locations, let your children know that it’s ok for them to spend time with the other half of the family, and they can get excited about what will be going on there.
Allow Flexibility
Flexibility is more common with peaceful divorces. It can be very challenging to allow flexibility when one of both parents doesn’t get along, but flexibility can benefit everyone.
For example, you may be ok with giving up a few extra hours of your time so your spouse can take the kids to a special event that will only occur on a certain day and time. They will appreciate that you were ok with that, and you’ll have more flexibility in the future if you ever want to do that on your end.
It’s all about giving and taking and putting your feelings aside so that traditions can be formed on both sides. A Fort Worth divorce lawyer can consider this when helping you set up a custody agreement.
While it can be difficult, keeping a positive attitude about forming new family traditions can make a big difference in how successfully everyone can navigate this new situation. It may take some time, but new traditions will come about, and everyone will benefit from their new routine.
If you are looking for a divorce lawyer to help you navigate through the process of divorce, Nilsson Legal Group can assist. It’s important that you know your legal rights in regard to child custody agreements, family law, and more. We have many years of experience in this area of law, and our staff is here to help in any way that we can. Reach out to us today for more information.