KidSide Newsletter December 2022
Plan Ahead For The Holidays
By Judge Victoria del Pino | [email protected]
By the time you read this, there may be a distinct possibility that if parents haven’t agreed on their timesharing for the winter break holidays or have not included it in their parenting plan, it may be too late to get a court hearing before the holidays begin.
The most hectic time for the family court is the holiday season. Unless there is a true and warranted emergency, judges may deny an emergency motion that is only seeking to settle differences on which parent the children should spend the holidays with.
That is why it is imperative to PLAN AHEAD.
At the beginning of a dissolution of marriage or paternity case, the parties need to think ahead as to how holidays will be divided, particularly winter break. If they can come to an agreement, it should be reduced to writing and an agreed order should be submitted to the judge. If they cannot, a hearing should be set prior to the holidays.
If the parties are in the process of formulating the parenting plan, they need to make sure to account for the small details that are often overlooked but can bring about needless litigation.
Divorce and the Holidays: Tips to Prepare Your Kids
By Samantha Carella, PsyD, ABPP-CC – Board Certified Psychologist in Child and Adolescent Psychology | [email protected]
Holidays are stressful enough, even in families that are cohesive and in which everyone gets along. Add in the recipe of separation/divorce and ill feelings towards your ex and consider how this impacts your children.
Do you remember the holidays as a child? We remember being carefree and just being a kid. Would you like this for your own children? This can still happen even in the context of a separated/divorced family. It all about prioritizing your children’s feelings and protecting them. They will have many years ahead to worry and take on responsibilities. We want them to be kids while they are still kids.
How can you do this? Here are some points to consider:
- Let your children enjoy their time with their other parent:
Unless the other parent lives out of state or the country, your children are likely to spend part of the holiday with their other parent- let them enjoy their time with that parent. Do not make comments or interfere in a way that could affect their time or make them feel guilty. When they come home from being with the other parent, do not show annoyance or ask too many questions about their time with their parent.
- Spending holidays together or separate:
Some parents spend holidays together. If the separation/divorce is new and it is the “first” of a holiday for your family, spending the holiday (while putting aside feelings) is a wonderful way to show the children that, despite their parents not being together as a couple, they are still the priority. However, if the tension or negativity is too high or tense, do not spend the holiday together. This may backfire and possibly stress out your children even more and cause psychological impact on them.
Thank You Previous Authors
Thank you to all of our authors who contributed to our newsletter and on our website in 2022! The knowledge and stories that were shared during the last year provided a wealth of information to help our diverse readership better comprehend some of the challenges families face in life.
Parent Testimonial
The testimonial below is from an anonymous parent who received therapy sessions paid for by KidSide.
After my domestic violence proceedings, I was assigned to attend a parenting class. The therapist was excellent, but we could only get so far. There were only so many classes, and we were not able to dive into anything. You must do the difficult thing of rehashing your past over and over again with a new person, and there are only so many sessions allowed before it stops completely. This leaves you feeling stranded, without access to that resource any longer while still experiencing the same difficulties.
I think it was destiny when Family Court Services referred me for therapy because I finally received the help I need. When I signed on to the Zoom session and my therapist was the same parent educator I had from before, I was so excited! We were able to quickly establish a relationship and for once, I feel like someone cared enough to help me.
The reason the services are so effective is because everyone at Family Forensic Services is experienced in working with individuals involved in the Court system. It is important that the therapists know how to deal with the situations that affect people like me, who are going through what I am going through right now. The therapists’ experience with these matters is what provides real help and support to clients like me.
Finding out the services were free was such a relief! Thank you KidSide for covering the cost! On top of the stress and anxiety of my situation I was not receiving child support and it was so hard on me. I knew I needed the therapy, and I wanted it so I could work to be a better person for my kids and for everyone. I didn’t know how I was going to do it, honestly. I was overwhelmed at the time and finding out the services were free was such a gift to me. A lot of times you receive free or low-cost services, and there is no interest there because the therapist or agency is fueled by money. That was not the case here. The services were amazing. I am so happy and thankful to my therapist, FFS, and KidSide.
Your Donations At Work
Judicial Reception Tickets On Sale
Get your tickets now to join KidSide at the 2023 Judicial Reception. This year’s Judicial Reception will be hosted at Salt Waterfront Restaurant located within the University of Miami’s RSMAS Campus (next to the Miami Seaquarium).
This event will sell out so secure your tickets now. 
Recognizing Our Gold Partners
We’d like to express our gratitude to our Gold Level Partners, Richard J. Preira Family Law, Naderpour & Associates PA, and Soberlink. Your generous support helps South Florida families in-need get the help they deserve. THANK YOU!
Thank You KidSide Partner
We’d like to express our gratitude to our Gold Level Partners, Richard J. Preira Family Law, Naderpour & Associates PA, and Soberlink. Your generous support helps South Florida families in-need get the help they deserve. THANK YOU!
Support the work of Family Court Services by donating to KidSide!
