About Kales Family Law
At Kales & Kales, we’ve been guiding Northern Virginia families through complex divorce and custody matters since 2004, shortly after Jonathan Kales first became a Virginia Supreme Court certified family law mediator. This article comes from our team of experienced family law attorneys, who focus on helping clients avoid litigation through mediation and collaborative divorce in Fairfax, Tysons Corner, Arlington, and surrounding areas.
The Father’s Day Challenge After Divorce – Understanding Your Parenting Plan
Virginia parenting plans typically address major holidays, but Father’s Day provisions vary significantly. In our practice, we’ve observed two common scenarios:
- Explicit Father’s Day Provisions: Most specifically state that children will spend Father’s Day with their father regardless of regular scheduling.
- Silent Agreements: Some parenting plans don’t specifically mention Father’s Day, creating potential confusion or conflict.
Action Step: Review your parenting plan before making any Father’s Day arrangements. If your agreement doesn’t address Father’s Day, consider establishing a written understanding with your co-parent that can be referenced in future years.
The Best Father’s Day Approaches For Your Kids After Divorce
Age-appropriate approaches yield the best results:
Young Children (Ages 3-8)
- Provide simple, concrete explanations using age-appropriate language
- Offer assistance with cards or gifts
Pre-Teens (Ages 9-12)
- Involve them in planning
- Provide structured choices
Teenagers (Ages 13-18)
- Respect independence
- Create flexible frameworks