Father’s Day is just a few days away. While this is meant to be a day of celebration for all fathers, there are things that must be taken under consideration for parents who are separated or divorced. The Tulsa Family Law Firm of Fry & Elder is sensitive to the issues both parents face and wish to provide a few tips on how to approach what should be a pleasant and conflict free day for all parties involved.
Be Open and Honest
When talking with your co-parent about your Father’s Day plans, it is important that you are up front and specific about what you have planned for the day. Just as Mother’s Days is, Father’s Day is a parent-specific holiday, meaning that if the schedule permits, fathers should spend the majority of the day with their child. If Father’s Day already aligns with the dad’s visitation schedule, there likely will not be much to coordinate. Both parents should acknowledge the fact that Father’s Day is something that a child looks forward to because he or she can spend quality and special time with their dad.
Pay it Forward
One of the keys to having a successful co-parenting relationship is to give and take a little. When you reciprocate nice gestures and further enhance communication lines, all parties involved and the child most of all come out on top. With Father’s Day almost here, this is a great way for a co-parent to show their appreciation to the father and his role in the family by adjusting to the dad’s parenting schedule on Father’s Day. If you are in a position where your co-parent will offer to trade parenting time, you should return the favor when the opportunity to do so comes.
Have Fun
It’s Father’s Day. This is a time to celebrate and relish in the role you have with your child. Have fun. Perhaps, take in a baseball game, go fishing or spend some time doing an outdoor-related activity. These are the types of days that your child will remember and further help strengthen the family dynamics of separated family.
If you have any additional questions or concerns about Father’s Day or any other family law matters, contact Fry & Elder today and talk to an experienced and professional attorney from a highly regarded Tulsa family law firm.