Dividing the holidays when you’re divorced can be tricky.
Often, the arrangements will be laid out in your separation agreement, the document that outlines the tenants of your divorce. Some divorcing couples will divide the holidays in half, or agree to alternate every other year. My ex and I agreed we would figure it out together with the best interests of the kids in mind. It was perhaps a risky move at the time, but we felt we would be able to deal with things like March Break, Christmas Break and summer vacations on a case-by-case basis.
If they have an opportunity to do something fun with me, then they will. If they can do something fun with their dad, I would likewise grant permission. It’s all about give and take and compromise. So far, it’s worked out well. Rather than fight over every holiday (even when we’re fighting with one another), we have always been able to put aside our differences for our kids.
This March Break, it means I have my boys for the first half of the week. I’ve planned a fun staycation with them, featuring a couple nights at a hotel, a visit to the AGO and skating at Evergreen Brickworks with my boyfriend and his daughter. The kids are so excited even though we aren’t actually going anywhere. For the second half of their trip, they will travel with their dad to Florida for their annual boys trip to watch the Blue Jays at spring training.
My only job, aside from packing them up and reminding their dad to slather them with sunscreen, is to provide him with a letter of consent authorizing him to travel with the kids. The letter is pretty standard and we’ve each used the same document with updated travel and passport information trip after trip. It also needs to be notarized, so if you’re sending your kids off with their parent, this is one step you must not miss.
Rather than stay home alone and bemoan the fact that my kids are having a great time without me, I’ve decided to take advantage of my solo status to do something fun as well. I’m going to Banff for a writing retreat. It’s basically time for me to be productive and continue writing my book. I’m excited for the opportunity to do my own thing without having to worry about who will watch my kids and how they will fare without me. I suppose it’s one of the perks of being divorced and having to split every holiday into two.
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