Christmas When You’re Divorced or in a Blended Family

Written by Ilissa Banhazl, MFT

Christmas is coming. We try to make the holidays special for our families.

Are you divorced? Is your family blended? Lots of questions come up when you are in these situations.

Questions to ask yourself…

  1. Which parent will have the kids? Will we split up the day? Will we come together for the kids? That would be best. If parents can get along while their children are in the room it is very healing and healthy for them. Remember divorce is hardest on the children.
  2. How will we celebrate? Families have different traditions that they cherish. Can you discuss this as a couple without having an argument?

However you decide to spend your holiday please put your children first when making your decisions. Parents who can stay in their Loving Adult at these times are doing a great service for their children. It can be very difficult because feelings may be raw and adjustments are difficult. Blended families have a lot of people to consider while making adjustments. These difficulties can spoil the holiday.

How are you going to handle the holidays?

Need tools for navigating through the holidays?

About Ilissa Banhazl

Ilissa Banhazl is a licensed marriage and family psychotherapist, former grade school teacher and holds a masters degree in reading. She has a private practice in Glendora, CA and lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband and three children. She specializes in adult, adolescent, individual, couple, and family relationship counseling as well as eating disorder treatment and recovery. She facilitates a Women’s Support Group in Glendora as well as a Women’s Disordered Eating & Body Image Group. Ilissa authors 3 therapy blogs, Marriage and Family, Eating Disorders and Group Therapy. You can follow her at FB and Twitter. http://www.ilissabanhazlmft.com or http://www.eatingdisordersgroup.com
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1 Response to Christmas When You’re Divorced or in a Blended Family

  1. Pingback: What’s the biggest hurdle blended families face? | Stepfamily Resources

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