While Christmas is often a magical time for children who are eager to receive gifts from Santa, the holiday season can be stressful and overwhelming for many separating parents. Some co-parents may find it difficult to agree upon arrangements which result in children sharing the joy of Christmas with both parents.
To avoid any last-minute hiccups or conflict with your co-parent, we recommend that you:
- Identify the important traditions for you and your co-parent.
- Consider a few options for Christmas Day which provide for the children to enjoy the traditions with you and your co-parent.
- Communicate as early as possible about the options you have considered for Christmas Day. If you are suggesting a few options, you may consider sending your co-parent a text message or email to identify the options.
There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to Christmas Day arrangements for families. There are several factors which may impact the agreement you reach with your co-parent. Some of these factors may include: the ages of the children, the distance the children may be required to travel between your homes, the usual time the children spend with the other parent, the views of the children and any concerns you have about the children spending time with your co-parent.
When you are considering how you and your co-parent may reach a compromise for Christmas Day, you could consider the following options:
- Christmas morning with one parent and Christmas lunch with the other parent: This option involves the children spending Christmas morning with one parent and having Christmas lunch with the other parent.
- Alternating Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: The children may spend the whole of Christmas Eve with one parent, and the whole of Christmas Day with the other parent.
- Christmas Day Communication: The children may spend time with one parent for the whole of Christmas Day and have a special phone call on Christmas Day with the other parent.
- Block time: The children may spend the week of Christmas with one parent, and the following week with the other parent.
- Alternating Christmas Days: The children spend the whole of Christmas Day with one parent one year and Christmas Day with the other parent the following year.
- No change to arrangements: There may be no change to the usual time the children spend with each parent.
If you hold concerns about the children’s safety while spending time with the other parent, or you are worried about whether you and your co-parent will be able to reach an agreement, we recommend that you obtain advice from a Family Lawyer.
Written by
Olivia Brennan
Family Law Solicitor
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