Your child’s graduation from high school is one of the biggest days of their life. They worked hard to achieve this milestone and they want to celebrate their accomplishments with the people they love. This can be a bit of a challenge if you are divorced, but it is possible to enjoy the day if you and your ex put in the effort.
The first step to celebrating your child’s graduation day is to remember that this day is not about you. Set aside any ill feelings toward your ex for one day and concentrate on your child’s achievement.
Steps to surviving your child’s graduation
With a bit of planning and effort on both of your parts, you and your ex can survive and enjoy your child’s graduation:
- Discuss the upcoming graduation with your ex. Discuss how many tickets you each need for the ceremony, and whether or not you will sit together. If there is any possibility that you might end up arguing, do not sit together.
- Be civil to each other. You will have to interact at least minimally. Do not take the focus away from your child. Smile for pictures and share them with each other through email or text after the celebration.
- If your spouse hosts a graduation party and invites you, attend it and offer to help with whatever needs to be done.
If you and your spouse can manage to be civil with each other, your child will have pleasant memories of the day.
What if my ex refuses to cooperate?
If the two of you just can’t see eye to eye for one day, consult the custody agreement. It should spell out how to share special occasions. Contact an experienced legal guide if you need assistance.