Generally, when people think of the holiday season, they think of family gatherings filled with laughter, gifts and great food. For a couple that has recently decided to divorce, the holidays may sound dreadful. You will have to buy gifts, prepare a dish to bring, and share the news with your family.
To stay in good spirits, divorcing couples may want to follow these five tips:
- Don’t hide your feelings. Divorce is a big deal for everyone who goes through it. Share your thoughts, feelings and concerns with friends or family members. It also may be helpful to speak with a therapist. Take whatever steps you need to keep yourself feeling positive.
- Focus on the important stuff. If you and your spouse have been continuously arguing about who gets what, it may be time to speak with an attorney. Secretly write down the items that are important to you and the ones you’d be willing to leave behind.
- Create a plan. The process becomes more complicated if you have children together. The two of you will have to come up with a parenting plan. Remember to discuss how you will share custody over the holidays.
- Get financial help. With the loss of your spouse’s income, you may need to get your finances in order. A financial adviser will be able to guide your savings. Especially for couples nearing retirement, figuring out finances will be necessary.
- Make new traditions. Forget the traditions you and your ex-spouse created, make new traditions for you and your family or friends. It may be helpful to switch up your typical holiday routine and replace it with something you enjoy even more.
Divorce is never easy, but divorcing around the holidays can be especially tricky. Recent divorcees may feel loneliness around the holiday season.
It is essential for people going through a divorce to stay in communications with friends or family that will support them through the divorce. Remember, it will all get better with time.
