With Christmas just around the corner, now is a good time for any co- parenting parents to talk about what is going to happen at Christmas reguarding the children.
My biggest piece of advice is that as Christmas is mostly for children (in my opinion) trying to stay civil about it, is the best way forward for everyone.
When my second husband and I were co-parenting with our ex partners. We tried to be fair to everyone ( easier said than done sometimes)
My 2 sons would spend Christmas eve with their father because that was his birthday.
All the children, including my step son would spend an hour with their absent parent on Christmas morning and the rest of tje day at home with us.
They then spent boxing day with the other parent.
We also had a son together so we would go out to lunch on boxing day and take him to a pantomime afterwards ( this was because he felt like he was missing out on something, by not having another parent and a second Christmas).
If your children are taking part in a Nativity play or other Christmas production if at all possible try to watch them together to show your children that you are able to get along with their other parent, Obviously if the show is held on more than one day going on different days could be another option.
I have written more on my experience of co-parenting here
Hopefully by planning what is going to happen at Christmas now with still a few weeks to iron out any problems, it will all come together and everyone can enjoy a merry Christmas.
As always questions and comments are welcome,
Until next time.
Karen
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Christmas is a stressful time with just your in laws and family to please. It must be so hard to manage it all. Good idea putting this post up well ahead of time to get people thinking aobut it. #MischiefandMemories
Thank you, Lydia, that’s my intension
I totally agree that it is all about the children and making it special for them has to be priority. It sounds like you have been able to perfect your routine so that everyone gets the best from the festive period #mischiefandmemories
Thanks for your kind words, We did our best
This is good advice for co-parenting at Christmas. It isn’t always easy to be fair and civil but I think especially important to try and do so at Christmas time. It sounds like you had a good routine in place for Christmas and Boxing Day to make it fair on everyone. #MischiefandMemories
Thanks, Louise, I did my best for the children
Really good advice x #pocolo
Thanks, Sam
We let pour kids choose where they wanted to be which was usually with the other parent over Christmas and for their birthdays also, never an issue to us. Thanks for linking with #pocolo
That’s great, if you can make that work for your family
I hope that most families can put their troubles aside for the sake of the children but I’m afraid many cannot. Luckily my ex has chosen to have no contact with my older two so they haven’t had to choose. Thanks for linking up with #MischiefAndMemories
That’s his loss then, hey Laura?
What an important reminder that the holidays should be evenly split so that children can experience it with all sets of parents. #MischiefandMemories
Thanks for stopping by, Heather
I don’t envy anyone the politics of coparenting and I believe that those who manage it successfully must be patient and far more reasonable than I ever could be. Hats off to them #MischiefandMemories
Totally agree, thanks for your comments