Shared custody means that parents must accept giving up time with their children. There are many practical and personal issues that parents must address when they intend to share custody because they separate or divorce.
Important days with the children can easily become a source of conflict. Parents often need to establish a schedule for the holidays. They may also need to plan in advance for birthdays. For children, their birthday parties may be one of their most exciting experiences each year.
Which parent typically gets to throw the birthday party for a child when parents share custody?
Parents can coordinate in advance
Technically, there’s nothing stopping both parents from hosting a party during their own parenting time. However, children may not want two separate celebrations, and party guests may choose to attend one party but not the other. Therefore, parents may need to coordinate with one another to ensure that the child feels centered on their birthday.
Parents might agree to alternate years hosting so that each parent can plan a party every other year. Parents also potentially have the option of working together for a joint celebration, so long as they can both attend the party without an argument occurring. It is often best for parents to make arrangements early in the custody negotiation process to ensure that a child’s birthday does not turn into a protracted family conflict.
Integrating the right terms into a child custody order, such as guidelines for special days, can help families adjust to shared custody more effectively. Discussing custody concerns with a family law attorney can help parents identify common custody complications and push for reasonable custody terms.