Making Child Arrangements at Christmas

With the festive season fast approaching, many will be looking forward to spending time with friends and family.

However, Christmas time can bring added pressure for co-parenting couples, especially when making child arrangements. December can cause heightened tensions between divorced parents, especially when planning where and when they will see their children.

Although organising child arrangements over the Christmas period can seem like a daunting task, there are steps that all parents can take to make childcare easy and simple. Careful planning, compromise, and putting the children first can help everyone make the most out of Christmas.

Plan Ahead

Planning for the festive season can allow enough time to discuss child arrangements in advance, helping to avoid any stress or miscommunications between either party. By communicating clearly, more time can be spent enjoying the holiday rather than disputing childcare agreements.

Often, some parents choose to split their time with their children evenly throughout December. In this case, children will spend Christmas Eve with one parent and Christmas Day with the other.

Some parents may also decide to organise their child arrangements on a yearly basis. This decision often involves one parent spending the entire festive period with their children, allowing the other parent to do the same the following year.

However, it is important to remember that the arrangements should be based on what works best for both the parents and the children.

Put Your Children First

When making child arrangements for the festive season, it can be helpful for parents to put themselves in their children’s shoes. By considering how they would like to enjoy their Christmas, parents can make a more informed decision regarding festive plans.

To ensure that Christmas is enjoyed by everyone, the planned living arrangements should be shared with the children to ensure that they are involved and happy with the decisions being made.

What If an Agreement Cannot Be Met?

If no agreement can be made regarding child arrangements over the Christmas period, it is recommended for both parties to seek legal advice from a family lawyer to negotiate the terms. Family lawyers can also draft a written formal agreement to help solidify any arrangements made if communication between both parties is difficult.

Mediation can also be a helpful tool; the presence of a third party can help to ease tensions and find a common ground between both parents.

Get Help with Child Arrangements This Christmas

Although child arrangements are usually informal agreements, it is helpful to plan and discuss them in advance. By organising children’s living arrangements over the Christmas period, it will be easier to make the most out of your time together as a family.

If you need further advice or would like to seek legal help regarding your children’s living arrangements this Christmas, get in touch with Eatons today.