ho ho hmmm

God Rest Ye Merry Gentle-Co-Parents, We’re Gonna Be Okay This Christmas

We can survive the magic — and heartbreak — of the holidays just fine.

by Meg Raby

18 hours ago

Close your eyes and sing it with me Amy Grant-style, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” It’s a magical time often filled with lights and glitter, family and friend gatherings, gift exchanges, photos with Santa, sugar cookie meal-replacements (just me?) and other cherished traditions. But for moms like myself who are co-parenting young children, the holidays can bring a mix of wonderment, anxiety, relief and heartache. It’s funny how so many emotions can co-exist. I’ve seen myself survive the first co-parenting Christmas, but I want to do more than just survive. I want to thrive and find more joy than sorrow. So I’m taking that simple success of survival, engaging in positive self-talk (it really does work), and making the most of this new normal.

One thing I have going for me this year is that I have the kids on Christmas Day. This happens every other year in my co-parenting experience,, so when it lands on my year I can’t help but feel I’ve won the lottery and do have thoughts dancing around my brain that I have a “winning” holiday season ahead. Undeniably the hardest morning in a co-parenting relationship is a Christmas morning without the children. Those little humans I birthed and love-to-the-moon-and-back are not there on one of the most magical days of the year. Excuse me as I let my body sink into my couch as I think about this. Okay, I’m good — it’s not all misery and coal, so stick with me.