Being a divorced parent brings its own unique set of challenges, and approaching the holiday season as a divorced parent can be overwhelming. Child custody battles are often contentious. Parents who are going through a divorce often disagree over the split family holiday schedule. Below are several tips to help you manage the holidays as a divorced parent. Kenny Leigh and Associates is a men-only family law firm with experience in divorce in Fleming Island, Florida. Kenny Leigh and Associates has six offices in Jacksonville, Daytona, Gainesville, Fleming Island, Fort Walton Beach, and Boca Raton, serving all of North and South Florida.

Keep Family Traditions: It is important for children who are involved in a divorce to have consistency within their lives. Holidays are about family and tradition, among many other things. If you have the children during the holidays, you will want to provide them with many of the same traditions they have grown up with so far. Family time is very important, and memories are made from traditions. Keeping them a part of the festivities will bring about harmony.

Create New Traditions: Facing divorce Fleming Island brings about much change. Creating new traditions whether you have the children with you or not during the holidays is fun and exciting. Surviving the holidays alone can be difficult, but if you keep busy and create something new each year, it will help to fill the void.

Look to the Future: Part of the healing process following a divorce is putting the bad memories and bad times to rest. The more time you invest in the future, the less time you invest in the past. Forgetting the past and moving toward the future will help to occupy your time. It will also give you something to look forward to.

Flexibility is a Must: Divorce is even more difficult when children are involved. One of the best ways to survive the holidays is to be flexible. Learn to work together for the sake of the children. Make their holiday special in spite of your differences. Being flexible with your ex will show the children that their well-being is most important.

Photos Speak Volumes: Taking pictures is a great way to show children you care. Pictures from the past can make a parent feel the necessity to rid themselves of memories. Create new family photos of special holiday times. Capture all the festivities and begin a new tradition of viewing them each year.

Alone Time Is Necessary: If you are facing a divorce, you need to capture control of your feelings-- alone time is important for a divorced parent. Often, the holiday custody schedule is rotated to give each parent time with the children. If you are alone, don't let loneliness take control of you.

• Clean and organize your home to occupy your time.
• Be festive by decorating and cooking favorite holiday meals.
• Catch up on visiting with family and friends, e-mails, and phone calls.
• Strive to make each moment count to better yourself.
• Reading can help to fill the void.
• Finish projects around the home.
• Take up a new hobby.
• Create homemade gifts for your children.
• Watch your favorite movies.
• Take a mini vacation.
• Meet new people.

All of the tips listed above will help you to survive the holidays as a divorced parent. Going through a divorce can be an overwhelming experience and the legal team at Kenny Leigh and Associates is ready to assist you with your divorce in Fleming Island. Kenny Leigh and Associates is a men-only family law firm with six offices serving North and South Florida: Jacksonville, Daytona, Gainesville, Fleming Island, Fort Walton Beach, and Boca Raton.