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Tennessee parents have child custody concerns during the holidays

It’s that time of the year again. The time where many in Tennessee are celebrating holidays with friends and family. Whatever the holiday particular to you and your family, there is always a lot for parents to think about this time of the year. This is why it is best to be prepared for how one’s child custody arrangement will play out during these holidays. If they are not in agreement with regards to their holiday child custody and visitation schedule, parents sharing child custody may find this is a difficult time of year.

However, if parents cooperate and are on the same page with regards to their child custody and visitation arrangements, the holiday festivities can be managed and shared much more easily. Communication can be key in these endeavors. In addition, child custody and visitation during the holidays can be laid out in a divorce decree or parenting agreement. For parents who believe that the other parent may be intentionally sabotaging the holiday for the other parent (and often in turn, the child shared between them) a family law judge may need to step in to remedy the negative situation.

Parents tend to know what holiday schedule works best for their family. If two parents can come together and share the holiday time equally amongst the child, this may be in the best interests of the child. The less stress and frustration there is on part of the parents, the smoother the holiday will be for the child. For parents sharing physical custody, the holidays are a time to be extra sensitive to a child’s relationship with each parent.

In the end, parents should keep the best interests of the child in mind when it comes to child custody during the holidays. By fostering good communication and adhering to an agreed-upon or court ordered child custody and visitation schedule, parents can focus on the most important thing: their child.

Source: The Charlotte Observer, “Navigating shared custody during the holidays,” Patra Sinner, Dec. 7, 2015

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