Thanksgiving with a split family? No problem.
Thanksgiving was declared a national holiday in 1941, along with the stereotype that everyone’s celebration looks the same. It comes with the notion we all consume the same foods and participate in the same traditions. But, what does this look like for non-traditional families, like those with split parents?
Celebrating holidays with split families is an idea that you should consider with patience and understanding. When it comes to celebrating with divorced parents, depending on your custody situation, it may seem unfair or hectic when you can’t be in two places at once.
From the experience of having split parents, holidays aren’t always the easiest, especially when some aren’t open to the whole co-parenting idea. It’s really easy to become stuck or feel you’re in the middle when it comes to these situations. Instead of favoring one side more than the other, it’s important for parents to ensure their children feel stress-free when it comes to holidays.
graphic by hailey drew
This is relevant to St. Joe students like Eleanna Murray, 10, who has a split family and shared her agreement in this sentiment. To her, growing up with a split family was never easy when it came to which home the festivities were celebrated at.
Split parent holidays will never be easy, but reading advice and acknowledging you’re not alone in your experience is important. Giving one parent the legitimate holiday and the other parent the weekend, alternating every year, could be an effective practice, according to the article “Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule Ideas” written by an author from CustodyXchange. Alternating the holidays is not an ideal solution for many parents, so splitting the day up into two, although it may seem overwhelming, could be something to consider.
When it comes to wanting to celebrate holidays with your family, it’s understandable if you’re feeling upset about it not working out. The stress of the holidays may not be an easy feeling to cope with, but sharing your thoughts and consideration with your family members, as well as seeking advice and support, might help. After all, Thanksgiving only happens once a year; it will be over before you know it.