Dec 2025
As the festive period approaches, many parents are busy preparing for the season. For separated families this time of year can come with added strain. This article highlights the difficulties co-parents often face over Christmas and offers guidance for creating a smoother, more cooperative celebration.
Christmas Challenges for Separated Families
For parents who share childcare, deciding how the children will split their time during the holidays can be particularly stressful. Differing expectations and a lack of early planning can quickly escalate tensions, leaving families feeling anxious rather than excited about the festivities.
Family law professionals consistently see an increase in queries about Christmas contact. These may involve attempts to restrict the other parent’s time or concerns about unequal arrangements. Emotions tend to run high during the holidays, and it’s common for parents to take firm stances, even when compromise would ease the situation.
Prioritising the Children
It’s essential to keep in mind that Christmas should focus on what is best for the children, rather than the preferences of parents, extended relatives, or longstanding traditions. Children are remarkably adaptable and deserve to make cherished memories with both sides of their family. And Santa is capable of delivering gifts to more than one address, as long as he’s given the right information.
There’s no legal formula for dividing Christmas contact, however the general expectation for most families is that children should enjoy meaningful time with each parent. A typical arrangement might involve one parent caring for the children from Christmas Eve until 2pm on Christmas Day, with the other parent taking over until the 27th. This pattern can alternate each year.
If splitting Christmas Day itself feels disruptive, another option is to have the children spend Christmas Eve to Boxing Day with one parent, then stay with the other parent until the 27th or 28th, alternating this arrangement year by year.
Reducing Tension
What works for a young child may no longer be suitable as they get older. Strict schedules can cause friction, especially for teenagers who value having a say in their plans. Including older children in the conversation helps them feel heard and encourages them to take part in celebrating with both families.
Even if the relationship between parents is tense, it’s crucial to protect the children from conflict. If a child senses resentment or negativity around the arrangements, it can impact their enjoyment and may influence how they remember the holiday in the future.
Co-parenting during Christmas can be challenging, but keeping the children’s best interests at the centre of every decision generally leads to better outcomes. Childhood passes quickly and the opportunity window to create meaningful special holiday memories is short. Prioritising peace and cooperation not only benefit the children now but also sets the foundation for happier festive seasons in the future.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this article, our team can provide expert legal support. For more information, please contact the author of this article or your usual Conyers contact.