Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 84Holding the Holidays Together goodADVICE At this time of year we wish for good will and peace on Earth. But what about when you can’t even guarantee peace within your own family? by Deb Silverthorn When your children have more than one home, “home for the holidays” can get complicated and potentially lead to hurt feelings. Whether it’s Christmas Eve at Dad’s and the morning under the tree at Mom’s or splitting the eight nights of Hanukkah between two households, the best gift you can give your children—and yourself—is a season of peace and joy. With blended families, the good news is the holiday calendar is full of time to be together and to find a way to make your important childhood traditions, a part of your own children’s lives. In all families, whole or divided, memories from the holidays will come from a healthy mix of “yours, mine, and ours” celebrations. “The winter holidays are about being thankful for all we have—not for focusing on what isn’t working,” said Jim Mueller, a family law specialist and managing partner with the firm of Verner, Brumley, Mueller and Parker. “Parents have to flashback to when you first got together because there was a time you were cohesive, friendly, even in love. That love may be gone, but the respect for the children really needs to come out front and center. If all parties act this way, it makes for a holiday to celebrate.” “It’s important to remember that the holidays, and all of life, are not out of a storybook—but are your own story that you write for yourselves. The situation you are in may not be how you envisioned it but just revision it,” said Mueller, the father of two young children. “Make it about being together.”