Holiday schedule nightmare - Christmas 2024 planning

Dec 231 min read

We decided last year that I'd do Thanksgiving even years and Christmas even years (so this year is hers). That made sense at the time. But my family is huge on Christmas gatherings and my mom is pushing hard for me to have the kids for her Christmas party which is always the afternoon of the 24th into the evening. Ex's family does their thing on the 25th morning. Is it insane to ask if we can do a split day? Or would that just be confusing for the kids (they're 8 and 10)? Feel like I'm in this no-win situation.

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Comments(4)

TTravis N.RegularDec 24

This is rough. Family guilt + co-parenting contracts is a terrible combo. Document everything though - if you're willing to swap years or do makeup time with your mom, get it in writing so it doesn't blow up next year

RRandy B.RegularDec 26

Could you do Christmas Eve with your family and let her keep Christmas Day? My ex and I do that and it actually works better because nobody feels like they're losing the whole holiday

NNick J.RegularDec 25

lol welcome to divorce math. honestly if your family gatherings are that important maybe it's worth bringing to mediation. The rigid schedule helps some people but it also means you miss half the holidays. Just saying

KKeith L.RegularDec 26

Yeah dude the even/odd year thing sounds good on paper but real life doesn't care about schedules. Your mom pushing is understandable though - she probably doesn't want to miss her son's Christmas. Have you thought about maybe alternating who hosts but both families show up? Could split the day