What subject(s) does this advice apply to?
Communication between divorced parents
Easing emotional trauma
Establishing new routines

Describe the situation or problem.
If you celebrate Christmas, it can be a difficult holiday to share. You and your ex each want to spend time with the children, and they're torn about where to spend the day. Try to remember what is best for your child. Christmas should be a magical day for a child and family tension and disagreements can spoil that.

What advice can you offer?
If geographically possible, let the child spend time with each parent. Or, consider celebrating Christmas with your child on another day during that week. We split the holiday between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: my trade-off for having our daughter on Christmas Day was agreeing to let her sleep at her dad's Christmas Eve and wake up in his house on Christmas morning. So, I gave up the opportunity to leave milk and cookies out for Santa (as well as being woken up very early Christmas morning) in exchange for having her from 11 am on. As difficult as this initially felt, it was a fair division and allowed our daughter to share this important holiday with both sides of her extended family.

Please add any additional comments or suggestions.
I was amazed at how well our extended families adjusted to this arrangement. I think they saw the fairness of it and adjusted their celebrations to accommodate our daughter!

This advice is most appropriate for parents with children in...
Preschool and Younger
Elementary School
Middle School
High School & Beyond