Christmas is presented as a time of universal happiness and enjoyment however it is often the case that such high expectations are not met in reality. As a result, the aftermath of Christmas is often a busy time for family law solicitors.
Everyone does agree that Christmas is a time when the children should come first with hostilities between parents being set aside. Samantha Moore, Family Solicitor advises some simple tips:
- Try to make arrangements for where the children are to stay well in advance. Children do not like uncertainty so the ideal is to have an arrangement that will be repeated over the years, for example one year the children spend Christmas Day with Mum and Boxing Day with Dad, and the next year this is reversed.
- It is stressful, confusing and upsetting for children if their parents argue or show ill will towards each other. Parents should be polite, cheerful and positive towards each other when picking up or handing over the children and ensure that children are not privy to heated discussions regarding arrangements.
- Parents must not compete over presents for the children, they should be agreed in advance to prevent duplication or other practical problems. Even better if Mum and Dad can buy a small gift for children to give to each parent.
- Children do not measure Christmas by dates and are happy to have more than one celebration. Parents should not feel that just because you didn’t see the children on Christmas Day, they they cannot make a memorable Christmas either before or after the day itself. Father Christmas can visit both houses and leave a stocking for the children to open when they arrive.
Finally, if the Christmas period makes it clear that you need to seek legal advice, Druitts can help you with most Family Issues, including Divorce, Civil Partnership Dissolution, Children Issues, Financial Settlements, Pre and Post Nuptual Agreements, Co-habitation Disputes and Mediation, for more information please contact Teresa Williamson.
Hopefully, by focusing on giving the children a Happy Christmas, some part of the Christmas magic can rub off on everyone.
