Children First For Christmas
30th November 2009
For many people the run up to the festive season involves little more stress than whether you will be able to get your shopping done in time, whether you will have enough turkey and what to buy everyone for Christmas.
However for Bath parents who are separated from their children the run up to Christmas can be an extremely stressful time as there is the added worry as to when the children will be able to see you.
It is important when dealing with issues concerning contact, at all times not only during the Christmas period, that these issues are dealt with sensitively and as amicably as possible. However all too often there are those who just find it almost impossible to speak to their former partner and are simply unable to sort the arrangements themselves amicably.
Therefore was practical tips can we follow to ensure that arrangements for the children to see both their parents are made amicably and without stress?
1. Try to talk about the arrangements early i.e. in November not wait until the week before Christmas.
2. Try not to have the discussions in front of the children as this will only leave the children feeling stressed and anxious.
3. Try not to use the children as bargaining tools, for example do not ask the children what they want but try to see it from their point of view.
4. Think about the fact that the children will want to see both of their parents and try to put your needs aside for the benefit of the children.
5. Try to be flexible in thinking about ways the children can get to see you for example perhaps the children can have two Christmas Days on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day or Christmas Day and Boxing Day or perhaps the children could spend a morning at one parent’s house and the afternoon at the other’s.
Above all bear in mind that it is the children that are the most important in making the arrangements not yourselves.
At Stone King Sewell LLP we have a dedicated team of Family Solicitors who are able to guide you through your difficulties if you are unable to resolve matters together. In addition we have three fully trained Family Mediators who are experienced in dealing with these very issues. Mediation is an ideal way to try to resolve the issues concerning contact, not just Christmas contact, as it will enable you as parents to discuss together exactly what you would like and what you think is best for the children.
For further information regarding any of these issues please contact Rebecca Eels on 01225 337599 or rle@skslaw.co.uk.
