Coparenting during the holiday season is one of the more difficult aspects for me. I remember the first year I spent the holidays with my now husband. My son was with his dad for Christmas. One of the reasons I was so sure this man would become my husband is because of the way he rallied around me to help me stay busy and have a great Christmas, despite missing my then 2 year old so much it was visceral.
It honestly hasn’t gotten easier. My son is 10 now. I miss him on weekends he’s with his dad. Even more on holidays. For me, holidays are about family. So having a piece of my heart missing during holidays is rough.
What I try to remember though, is that if I want my son to grow up valuing family, that means spending holidays with his dad’s side of the family is also important. So I put on a smile, encourage him to have a great time, and I allow myself to enjoy the holiday knowing he is with family.
To the other coparents out there feeling this way during the holidays, I get it. Sharing a kid is never easy. The beautiful thing is, this also means they are loved on and feel at home in two different households.