Tips for making child arrangements during Christmas
Preparation is key
With the added uncertainty of another Christmas during the pandemic, trying to put in place arrangements for Christmas in advance is tricky.
If you do not have plans in place, now is the time to start. Talk to your ex-partner and agree on arrangements that work for you all.
Some clients I have worked with agreed that the children would spend Christmas Eve at one home and then return to the other for lunch on Christmas Day.
Other clients decided that they would spend the whole festive period with one parent and the next year spend it with the other, alternating between the two.
It is a personal choice based on what works for your family, but also the age of the children, location and how amicable you are.
Be prepared to be flexible as plans may need to change.
Focus on the children
First and foremost, put the children at the heart of the plans you make. A different type of Christmas can still be a good Christmas. Talk about the positive: two Christmas Days, two sets of presents etc.
Make sure you share your plans with the children. Depending on the age of the children, ask them what they would like? Older children need to feel they have a voice.
Once in place, sharing plans with the children means they know where they will be throughout the holiday, and the routine will make them feel safe and secure.
Creating a visual plan can help as dates can be difficult for a child to understand. One client created a Christmas themed wall planner for their younger children. A tech-savvy teenager may prefer a joint Google calendar.
Be fair to the other parent
If this is your first year as a separated parent, this will all feel very raw and difficult. It is likely that you will both be dreading not spending Christmas entirely with your children.
Even though it can be difficult, try to think about the impact of any plans on your former partner. Ask yourself if you would be happy with the proposed arrangements next year? If the answer is no, then maybe they should be reconsidered.
Stick to the plan
This year may require a certain level of flexibility, but where possible, it is important that, whatever arrangements you come to, you both stick to the plan.
Last-minute changes can cause feelings of disruption and uncertainty for children. And, whilst flexibility is an essential part of positive child arrangements, it is important to maintain consistency and provide stability.
Get advice early, if needed
Christmas is chaotic and organising a co-parenting schedule on top of everything else is never going to be easy, especially if communication between you and your ex-partner is difficult.
If you are struggling this year, take advice from A Father’s Friend® who can try to assist in negotiating an agreement.
If you cannot reach an agreement, mediation can help as the presence of a 3rd party often eases tensions and result in finding common ground.
Mediation is still taking place via video conferencing, and many of our clients have reported that it is easier than being in the same room as their former partner.
Court proceedings are possible but should be used as a last resort, and, due to the current strain on courts from the pandemic, it is highly unlikely that you have any prospect of a contested hearing before Christmas.
Hopefully, these tips, combined with some careful planning, compromise and putting the children first, will help you and your ex-partner move forward towards a harmonious Christmas.
