With Christmas fast approaching, it is a busy and exciting time for many families. However, for those who have recently separated, there may be stress and worry navigating arrangements for the children over the Christmas period. Co-parenting can be difficult, especially when it comes to special times of the year but there are ways to make matters easier;-
• Open up channels of communication. Look into options of discussing matters if communication between you is difficult. Perhaps Mediation would be an option if you are able to arrange this in good time during the year or consider parenting apps as a way of putting forward suggestions and ideas for the arrangements for the children.
• Plan ahead, try not to leave arrangements to the last minute and have a firm plan with dates and times included so that both parties and the children know what to expect.
• Remain child focused and think about how the children would like to spend their time over the festive period. It is likely that the children will want to see both parents in a calm and happy way.
• Think of the bigger picture, for example, you may not be able to see your children on Christmas day this year, but that may mean the children will be with you on Christmas Day next year.
• Work out what is best for you and your family. There is not a ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to arrangements for children. For one family it may work for the children to spend all of the Christmas period with one parent and all of the New Year period with the other. Perhaps this would be on an alternate basis so that the children spend those times with the opposite parent next year.
• For other families, perhaps those who live in close proximity, it may work well for children to spend Christmas Eve and half of Christmas Day with one parent and half of Christmas Day and Boxing Day with the other. Again, this could be alternated on a year by year pattern.
• Remember to keep in mind what the children would want. For example, it may not be fair on young children to spend a long time in the car travelling between parents on Christmas Day, when they would like to soaking up the Christmas magic, spending time with family or playing with their new toys.
There are many ways of arranging the time over the Christmas period but if agreement cannot be reached, it is possible to apply to the Court for a Child Arrangements Order. This would be a formal Order which can specify the exact times and dates that the children would be with each party each year.
The benefit of obtaining a Child Arrangements Order is that each party knows exactly what the arrangements will be, limiting animosity and confrontation between the parties. Please bear in mind that a Child Arrangements Order can take many months to obtain and it is therefore important to think about this in advance.
Contact us for advice
If you would like any advice on child arrangements during Christmas, or any other family law issues, please get in touch.
Article by Katie Powell
