Top Tips to Help Separating Parents at Christmas

With Christmas fast approaching, it is important separating parents start planning early to agree their child arrangements for the festive period in advance to avoid any uncertainty and tension into the run up to the holidays. The Christmas period can be overwhelming to separating couples and emotions can run high. Issues with child arrangements can only heighten these feelings.

Below are my top tips for separating parents in the run-up to Christmas:

Attempt to agree clear child arrangements in advance

If you are unable to agree arrangements for the festive period and resort to making an urgent last-minute court application, this will only increase stress levels and you can risk the courts having no availability to list your application prior to Christmas.  Furthermore, you can have little time to attempt mediation or seek legal advice to aid you in reaching an agreement. Agreeing clearly defined child arrangements in advance can reduce uncertainty and anxiety for both yourself and your children and should always be the preference.

Be prepared to compromise

The first Christmas post-separation is often the hardest, however you have the opportunity to agree child arrangements that can apply to the coming and future Christmas periods; if your ex-spouse has the benefit of spending Christmas Day with the children this year, then you can have the benefit next year. Any agreed child arrangements should be fair and prioritise the children. Consider agreeing to arrange a video call with your children on Christmas day if they are with the other parent this year.

Be child-focused

It is important to acknowledge the effects of any agreed child arrangements on the children and agree child arrangements that prioritise their needs. A period of time they would normally associate with joy and fun could be more tumultuous for them and involve significant change. Children can sense stress and animosity; it is often inappropriate to involve them in any conversations when it comes to deciding the child arrangements. Although having a handover on Christmas Day may appear the fairest solution for parents, it is usually more disruptive for the children.

Seek help if needed

The first Christmas post-separation is often daunting for all involved. Consider seeking the support of friends and family for emotional help or assistance with any Christmas errands. It may be helpful to seek independent legal advice at the earliest possibility so you fully understand your legal position and have enough time to take action if necessary.

We are happy to advise parents in relation to child arrangements for Christmas and to help them navigate through a difficult time.

Please contact Thomas Palmer or another member of the Machins Family Team if you would like more information about the issues raised in this article or any aspect of family law.