We are barely into the new school year, and thanks to the ongoing pandemic, nailing down parenting time schedules has been a challenge for many couples. We are only a couple of weeks away from Halloween, and if you have gone into department stores, you already know that the holiday season is quickly approaching. For most divorced couples with children, it is time to figure out the holiday schedules and who is spending what holiday with who. As always, the key to proper and, hopefully, stress-free planning is communication.
Without proper planning and communication, the next few months can be filled with temper tantrums, unrealistic expectations, over-the-top drama and unnecessary court intervention.
And then there is the reaction of the children.
As with almost every aspect of a divorce, communication and compromise are essential to reach a workable solution. Of course, compromise isn’t about getting everything you want, but you can still have limits.
Scheduling the holidays can be difficult in the best of times, but we do not live in the best times. The ongoing pandemic is still casting a shadow over much of our lives. While New York is still doing well compared to many other regions, many people still have concerns. Especially for children under 12 years of age who are not able to receive a vaccine. For unvaccinated individuals, traveling still comes with a certain level of risk. In addition, if family members are not vaccinated, that also adds to the risk for younger children.
For divorced couples who disagree about vaccinations, even parenting time or visitation can be a point of contention. When you add the holidays where the likelihood is that there will be a house filled with people, this disagreement could lead to a very heated and emotional exchange. When it comes to a topic such as vaccinations, which has, unfortunately, turned into a discussion about politics rather than a discussion about the health and safety of the children, trying to keep anger and emotion out of the conversation can be highly challenging.
As with all things, the best way to resolve issues is with conversation and compromise, but what do you do when compromise is not possible? That is when you call our office. It isn’t worth continuing a battle that cannot be resolved through reason and when it comes to the safety and well-being of your children. When it comes to keeping children safe, there is only so much you should have to compromise.
Regardless of what anyone says, does, or thinks, the single most important duty of a parent is to provide a safe and healthy environment for the children.
When it comes to disagreements regarding the children, don’t continue down a path of fighting, anger, and unchecked emotion. Instead, contact Anthony LoPresti to discuss your options.