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7 Rules for Family Events with the Ex
For the sake of your kids, sometimes you have to make nice
Birthdays, graduations, family reunions, holidays, weddings… there are so many family events over the course of your child’s life. And these events, whether you like it or not, will often include your ex. Sometimes they might even include the ex’s family and eventually a new partner.
Whether it’s just your ex or your ex and their family, it’s not always easy to get through these events. There can be lingering resentments, frustrations, and other hard feelings. There can be current conflicts that make things less than ideal.
But for the sake of your kids, most of the time you want to be nice and find a way to make these events the happy, exciting occasions your kids think they are and that they should be.
Whether this is your first family event with the ex or you just want to make things better, here are some simple rules for getting through without losing it.
Allow yourself to feel whatever you feel
Sadness, anger, bitterness, resentment, abandonment, loneliness, guilt, regret, or embarrassment are just a few of the feelings that come to mind as possibilities. There may be others that come up because of your unique situation.
