The holiday season is a time for togetherness, joy, and cherished traditions, but the logistics can feel overwhelming if you are divorced. How do you honor the beloved family rituals when everyone’s no longer under the same roof? It’s okay if things don’t look quite the same this year. By adapting those traditions in new ways and collaborating with your co-parent, you can ensure these festive moments feel fair and warm for everyone in your family. HONOR THE PAST, EMBRACE THE PRESENT Even though logistical changes may affect your holiday time, this doesn’t mean you have to give up your favorite activities. Think about changing the traditions so they align with your current circumstances. Creative solutions can keep the meaning and energy of these moments alive without anyone feeling left out. For example, if the family used to open presents together on Christmas morning, maybe now one parent can host the festivities on Christmas Eve, while the other keeps doing it on Christmas morning. If you used to attend a special holiday event or market, maybe this year, everyone makes homemade gifts to share instead, or you host separate holiday movie nights. The Season of Togetherness, Redefined Preserving Joy and Holiday Traditions Post-Divorce
Inspired by ThePioneerWoman.com
Slow Cooker Brisket
Ingredients •
1 (1-oz) envelope onion soup mix 1 tbsp brown sugar 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
•
1 lb carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
• • •
• 1 lb baby golden potatoes • 3 celery stalks, cut into 1-inch pieces • 1 large sweet onion, cut into 8 wedges • 2 1/2 cups beef stock • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce • 2 tbsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
•
1 3-lb piece of beef brisket (flat cut)
• 8 fresh thyme sprigs • 8 whole garlic cloves • 2 bay leaves
Directions 1. In a small bowl, combine soup mix, sugar, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle over brisket. 2. Place meat, fat cap side down, into an 8-qt slow cooker. 3. Top brisket with thyme, garlic, bay leaves, carrots, potatoes, celery, and onion. 4. Whisk stock, Worcestershire sauce, and cornstarch until fully dissolved. Add to slow cooker. 5. Cover and cook on high for 5–6 hours until tender. 6. Remove to a cutting board, fat side up. Remove thyme and bay leaves. 7. Thinly slice brisket against the grain. 8. Serve with vegetables, drizzled with gravy from the slow cooker. INSPIRATION “Love runs stronger than blood. Deeper than any name you could give me.” —Andrew Peterson
WORK TOGETHER The more you can collaborate with your co-parent, the more harmonious and stress-free this time of year will be. Start planning early so both parents have ample time to make arrangements, coordinate schedules, and prepare. Decide how you want to split up traditions between the two of you. You could handle different activities on the holiday itself, like one parent watching the Thanksgiving Day parade with the kids and the other hosting the meal. You could also alternate holidays, with one parent celebrating one year and the other the following. No matter what you decide, explain it clearly to your children and create a parenting plan or use a co-parenting app so it’s all easy to access. By rethinking your favorite family traditions alongside your co-parent, you can ensure the whole holiday season still feels exciting for you and your children. If you need help modifying your parenting plan or custody arrangements, our team can ensure your child’s best interests are always prioritized. Contact Douglass & Runger for a consultation.
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