INJURY-FREE RUNNING VISITATION ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS
THE IMPORTANCE OF CHILDREN’S HOLIDAY SCHEDULES
Co-parenting can be challenging even in ordinary times; add in holidays, birthdays, and other special occasions, and managing visitation can be even more difficult. However, through proper negotiation and compromise, a deal can be
implemented to make handling these situations much more palatable for everyone involved.
major holidays, like Thanksgiving and Christmas, covered but also long weekends, like Labor Day and Memorial Day weekends. If there are disagreements on which holidays should fall under which parent, then working with mediators or family court facilitators can help bridge those gaps. SPLITTING CUSTODY ON HOLIDAYS Depending on how amicable your co-parenting relationship is, it may be agreeable to split some holidays up by time of day. For example, one parent could have the kids on Christmas mornings, and the other on Christmas evenings. Alternatively, you can set up the agreement so each parent alternates holidays each year, with one parent having custody on certain holidays for even- or odd-numbered years. There are many ways to complete the arrangement, and with proper negotiation and forethought, it can be used to put the best interests of both parents and the children first.
The state of California has a tool in place to help parents navigate this more easily: the Children’s Holiday Schedule. These are binding agreements that allow co-parents to establish a consistent schedule for holiday visitation and can be a great way to reduce tension and increase harmony during times of year that are important to both parents and their children. Here is how these agreements work and how they can help you co- parent during the holidays and beyond. CREATING A CHILDREN’S HOLIDAY SCHEDULE A Children’s Holiday Schedule is a written agreement between parents that amicably splits up visitation during major and minor holidays, birthdays, and any relevant religious celebrations between them. This means that not only are
Heed the Warnings
Simple Steps to Enhance Personal Safety
In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to forget the fragility of life and the importance of simple precautions. However, for Dr. Brian Hoeflinger, a neurosurgeon in Toledo, Ohio, these lessons have been etched into his life through personal tragedy and decades of frontline experience. Hoeflinger has dedicated over 25 years to treating patients with traumatic brain and spinal injuries and has seen firsthand the devastating consequences of neglecting personal safety. Driven by his loss — the death of his 18-year-old son in a drunk-driving accident — Hoeflinger has made it his mission to educate the public on the most common factors that contribute to these life-altering injuries. ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION At the top of Hoeflinger’s list of concerns is alcohol consumption. “Without a doubt, alcohol is number one,” he states emphatically. “So many cases I see when I’m on trauma call are related to alcohol.” The link between alcohol and traumatic
injuries is well-documented, with studies showing that alcohol impairs judgment and motor skills, leading to a higher incidence of accidents and injuries. LATE NIGHTS Hoeflinger’s second warning targets the dangers of late nights, stating that “nothing good ever happens after midnight.” He explains that many incidents, including fights and accidents, occur in the late hours when people are more likely to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs and less vigilant about their safety. NOT WEARING SEAT BELTS Another critical factor Hoeflinger emphasizes is the importance of wearing seat belts. “Whether you’re the driver or the passenger, always wear your seat belt,” he urges. Despite widespread awareness campaigns, failure to wear seat belts remains a leading cause of death and serious injury in car accidents.
LACK OF SITUATIONAL AWARENESS Finally, Hoeflinger stresses the need for
heightened situational awareness, particularly for older adults at higher risk of falls. “Pay attention to your surroundings,” he advises. “I can’t tell you the number of people, especially elderly people, I see who accidentally fell down a flight of stairs and ended up paralyzed.” By heeding his advice, we can all help reduce the incidence of severe injuries and fatalities and perhaps even change the world for the better, one life at a time.
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