Christmas and Hanukah is only a few months away and many of us are starting to plan all those gifts that will be needed for those friends and loved ones that we want to give to. The divorced parent must also consider the child but also the grandparents of the other parent and the other parent as well. Here are some tips to make the shopping season a little brighter and hopefully merry...
For the child:
· Check with custodial parent what child may need.
· Custodial parent should let other parent know what they are getting so that they will not get the same thing.
· Parents should not compete (moneywise) but get things with the child's pleasure in mind.
· If the parents want to the child something big and expensive, they could coordinate and get it for the child together, or if it has several parts, have each get a part. Such as one get roller blades, and the other get the pads, helmet and bag.
· Remember that the holidays for children are a special time and competition and bad feelings should not enter into the gift buying/giving.
· When buying gifts, don't try and replace or duplicate items that the child may have at the other parent's house.
· Take into consideration where the child will be spending the holiday and don't hold out the gifts for when the child will be visiting if the time period is greater than a few weeks. Use toy buying Internet services that ship like www.e-toys.com, www.toysrus.com , www.snap.com, to make sure the items are shipped on time.
· Don't buy items just to spite the other parent, like drum set for the 2 years old, or play-dough or glitter that you know that the child could make a mess with and will not be allowed or that the other parent will not allow.
From the child:
· Don't feel obligated to get the other parent a present from your child. Perhaps have the child participate in making something for that parent. Have your child make a picture and frame it. Have a picture taken of your child and give them to the other parent for their own.
· However, if you do buy something, check with the parent to see what their needs/wants are, so that the child can give something that is meaningful and wanted. The child wants to be proud of their gift, so keep that in mind, and help the child give a gift that will give both the child and the parent pleasure.
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