Episode 148: Surviving the Holidays with Michelle Dempsey-Multack

This week Michelle Dempsey-Multack returns to the show! She joins me to talk about how to survive the holidays pre- or post-divorce. If you’ve gone through a divorce within the last 12 months or are about to start the divorce process, you are emotionally and financially spent. So, how can you get through the holiday season and feel content with the here and now?   If this is your first Christmas alone or last holiday as a single-family unit, this episode will offer advice about how to create new holiday traditions, how to set boundaries, and how to take care of yourself during this highly emotional and uncertain time in your life.  Michelle is a writer, coach, Certified Divorce Specialist (CDS®) and host of the Moms Moving On Podcast. As a divorced, co-parenting, and remarried mother, nothing makes Michelle happier than being able to guide other women as they move on through the divorce process, and helping them turn their divorce lemons into lemonade - just like she did. A native New Yorker, Michelle now resides in Miami with her husband, Spencer, and each of their daughters, Bella and Jolie.  There is no right or wrong answer for getting through the holidays during or after divorce. Do what feels right. Lean into whatever it is you are feeling; whether it is good or bad. And remember, it’s just a season and will be over before you know it. Show Highlights A simple reminder that Christmas and New Year’s Day are just days on a calendar. (6:41) Identifying your definition of happiness. (8:33) How you can take the parts of a holiday that feel special to you and make new traditions. (11:58) The importance of creating space to make new traditions and to heal. (14:18) Once children have had to separate their parents in their minds, it can sometimes be really confusing to see them together. (16:45) It’s not always best for kids for parents to do holidays together right after divorce. Michelle shares some of the things that are best, like not being made to bear the weight of your sadness. (17:55) Your job at this juncture is to take care of yourself and your children. Period. (20:19) Waking up alone on Christmas morning can be painful and hard. Michelle offers some suggestions for getting through those moments. (24:33) How to set boundaries about conversations about your divorce during holiday get-to-gethers. (33:45) Disparity in incomes: it’s perfectly acceptable to teach children the value of money and what gifts you are able to afford. (37:48) Learn More About Michelle: Michelle Dempsey-Multack is a writer, coach, Certified Divorce Specialist (CDS®), and host of the Moms Moving On Podcast. As a divorced, co-parenting, and remarried mother, nothing makes Michelle happier than being able to guide other women as they move on through the divorce process, and helping them turn their divorce lemons into lemonade – just like she did. A native New Yorker, Michelle now resides in Miami with her husband, Spencer, and each of their daughters, Bella and Jolie.