Avoid a Blue Christmas Make the Best of Your Holiday Time-Sharing
continued from pg. 4 people’s data is compromised as a result. Understandably, when you first receive these scam emails, you panic because you think they are legitimate. But remember, USPS, UPS, Amazon, and FedEx won’t ask for personal information over email. A good rule of thumb is never to click on links in emails — even from the actual company. Scammers are very good at making their emails look authentic. Instead, go to the delivery company’s website and log in to your account. If action is required, you should see a notification in your portal. Alternatively, you can call the business’s customer service line to check if their email is authentic. Holiday Shopping Scams Businesses boom during the holiday season because more people buy their products and services. But this means potential scams can also increase, but you can do a few things to ensure your personal information and banking details are safe. You may see products online or advertisements on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok that pique your interest. But before you click “buy,” ensure the website is legitimate. Search for the product on a search engine to see if the same links appear. Carefully read reviews, look for website security credentials, and research unknown retailers before purchasing. It’s better to take extra precautions to ensure your information isn’t compromised. In addition, never use public Wi-Fi when purchasing items online. You’re more likely to be hacked when the Wi-Fi connection isn’t protected or in a secure network. Hackers tap into public internet sources and intercept your data through techniques like eavesdropping. Although it’s appealing to use public Wi-Fi because you think it’s free, it’s not. You pay with your personal information and data. If you or someone you know is a victim of fraud, report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online or by phone at 1-877-382-4357. For more information on scams, fraud, and identity theft, go to USA.gov/scams- and-frauds to learn how to protect yourself better.
Even under ideal circumstances, it’s difficult for many families to accomplish every task they want during the holiday season. There are gifts to wrap, plans to make, and big meals to cook. Fitting it all in can be stressful — especially when you have a time-sharing agreement with your ex. Not getting to spend every moment with their kids during the most family-centric time of the year saddens many parents. But you can reduce the difficulty with the right mindset. First, accepting that your holiday traditions will be different after a divorce is crucial. You don’t have to give them up entirely, but old timelines may no longer work, and many families have to choose which activities matter most. But while many people plan extra carefully to make up for limited time, things can always go wrong, and you’ll need to be flexible. Illnesses, traffic jams, bad weather, and delayed flights all happen. And while there certainly are some people who strive to make their exes’ lives miserable, these types of incidents are usually beyond their control. Anger won’t solve the problem, so try to assume the best and take it in stride. You’ll have a happier holiday. It’s just as crucial to maintain open lines of communication. If you’re dealing with a hiccup that will affect time-sharing, contact your co-parent to find a solution as soon as possible. It’s what you’d want in the same circumstances. Your communication should also extend to your kids. Especially as they get older, they’ll have opinions about how they spend the holidays. Maybe they’d rather skip a particular tradition, or perhaps everything you have planned is a bit much. It may hurt to hear they’d rather spend a day with their other parent, but proving you have their preferences in mind will strengthen your relationship. Finally, make the most of the time you have together — whether or not you have as much as you’d prefer. You have a choice between lamenting the things you can’t do and celebrating the things you can. Christmas can still be memorable if you don’t get to celebrate it on Dec. 25, and your holiday can survive a missed meet-and-greet with Santa. Put away the distractions and cherish the moments you have with your children because when it’s all said and done, the people you’re with are who make the holidays memorable.
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