Celebrating Your First Post-Divorce Father's Day

 Posted on June 08, 2017 in Child Custody

June 18 marks the annual celebration of Father’s Day in the U.S. While it is usually a time for fathers and their children to bond, a newly divorced father may experience the holiday differently. Depending on the parenting time arrangement, his children may be unavailable to visit him that day. If he does get to spend the day with them, he may not know how to celebrate. Past Father’s Day traditions may have relied on the mother’s involvement. Divorced fathers need to take an active role in creating a positive Father’s Day experience for them and their children.

Save the Date

You should talk to your former wife about your desire to spend Father’s Day with your children, especially if it would require altering your parenting time schedule. Parenting time agreements are legally binding, but parents can make minor adjustments without needing court approval. Hopefully, your former wife will appreciate the day’s importance to you and your children. However, you can also help with scheduling by being flexible:

• If the travel time or your children’s schedules make it impractical to see them on the actual day, offer an alternative date during which you can celebrate;
• Understand that you may not be able to have them for the entire day;
• If you cannot visit your children on Father’s Day, ask if you can schedule a time to talk with them by phone or video messaging; and
• Express your willingness to be similarly flexible with your former wife if she needs extra time with your children.

Planning the Holiday

Father’s Day for a married couple is a family event, with the mother often playing an active role in making meals and buying gifts. The father may spend the day relaxing and allowing his family to treat him. For divorced dads, interacting with their children on Father’s Day becomes more important. Your children still want to celebrate the holiday with you, and you should allow them to take the lead in planning the day. However, they may need your help:

• Suggest fun activities you can do together;
• If they cannot afford to buy a gift, encourage them to make something instead; and
• Invite your own father to join you.

Divorced fathers can utilize Father’s Day to create new traditions and spend quality time with their children.

Fathers and Divorce

The aftermath of divorce often causes a father to have less time with his children. A Kane County divorce attorney with Goostree Law Group can help you negotiate an allocation of parental responsibilities that will protect your paternal rights. Schedule a free consultation by calling 630-584-4800.

Source:

http://www.divorcemag.com/blog/guide-to-your-first-fathers-day-after-divorce