Christmas Parenting Arrangements

Separated parents in Surrey should plan child arrangements ahead of Christmas holiday.

Don’t wait until school holiday is here to work out parenting arrangements.

With Christmas lights appearing in shops and homes across Surrey, worries about where children will spend the holiday period are in the minds of many separated parents.

Parenting arrangements that work well all year round can prove inadequate when the schools break up in December and routines change.

Even those with well-established routines can find it a struggle to work out which parent the child will spend time with on which days over Christmas.

The festive period creates other complications too:

• How will the child will be able to see grandparents and other extended family members?
• What about all the travel arrangements, and how they will be funded?
• How might a parent’s new partner fit into the equation?

Anything other than a time of joy

The stresses can mount up, leading to long-standing resentments between the parents resurfacing. It can lead to Christmas being anything other than a time of joy for many separated families.

As accredited family mediators we are often asked for help by separated parents who cannot agree between themselves what will work best for the children during the school break.

The time they will spend with each parent during this period can be tricky to agree and, as we head into December, the stress levels rise.

We can help separated parents work out a plan that fits their unique family circumstances, and our advice is to get in touch soon. Don’t leave it until the last minute.

Making the arrangements in good time will give certainty to both parents, bringing you peace of mind. And it means the children know what is coming in the weeks ahead, giving them the best chance of having a happy Christmas break.

Anyone wanting to find out more about the benefits of family mediation offered by Surrey Family & Mediation Services can get in touch or phone us on 01372 677 660.