The holidays are always the most hectic time of the year, especially when having divorced parents and a huge family.

Growing up with divorced parents, my family has always had a set schedule for Christmas time. Although it is always a lot of back and forth, it is very worth it because I get to experience the holiday with both sides of my family. It is very crazy but also very exciting.

Every year, on the day before Christmas Eve, I spend the night at my dad’s house. On Christmas Eve morning, all of my siblings and I wake up and open some presents while I am there. 

Later on in the day, we go over to my grandma’s house and celebrate with all of my aunts, uncles and cousins on my Dad’s side. We eat a late lunch then, we do a gift exchange and all of the cousins open their presents. We always have so much fun.

After opening all the presents and waiting a little longer into the evening, I go back home to my Mom’s house. There we eat some cookies and get our Christmas pajamas.

My brother and I then exchange gifts from each other and we get to pick out one present from our parents to open. After opening our presents, we all watch a Christmas movie together. Once the movie is over, we get ready for bed and set out the cookies for “Santa.” 

Then we go to bed.

When we wake up on Christmas morning, our grandparents come over and watch us open presents. After we open all of our presents, we have a big Christmas breakfast. 

Later we go to my grandma’s house on my mom’s side and have Christmas there too. 

It seems like a pretty wacky schedule but it works for me and my family. It is how I enjoy the holidays the most with everyone I care about. It means I get to spend two amazing days with both sides of my family. Not to mention I get double the presents. Having divorced parents is not as bad as what people think it may be.