Organising contact arrangements for the Christmas holidays early can help minimise conflict and ensure both you and your child’s other parent can spend valuable time with your child over the festive period.

Thinking ahead and planning in advance can help you avoid the stress associated with last-minute disputes. Making contact arrangements in advance allows you to consider your child’s wishes and understand what each of you thinks would be fair in the circumstances. You should not ask your children to choose between parents.

Certain compromises may be necessary. For example, you may decide that one of you spends the festive period with your child this year and the other the following year, alternating thereafter for fairness. Alternatively, one of you could have the children on Christmas Day and the other on Boxing Day, again, alternating in subsequent years. If you live nearby, you could arrange for your child to see both of you on Christmas Day with a changeover after lunch.

Baker Law Solicitors
Lydia Davis, Solicitor (Baker Law Solicitors)

Regardless of the compromise reached, it is important that you discuss the situation as calmly as you can. It may be helpful to put the final arrangement in writing to avoid any confusion. If your contact is not on Christmas Day, you may wish to organise another time to exchange gifts and plan alternative activities in the festive period to make it memorable.

If you are finding it difficult to come to an agreement, our specialist family lawyers may be able to help. If you would like to learn more, and understand whether you would be entitled to a free 30-minute initial consultation, please call us on 01252 733770 or email us at [email protected].